The Butterfly Effect



image courtesy photobucket.com

 

From Wikipedia: “In chaos theory, the butterfly effect is the sensitive dependence on initial conditions, where a small change at one place in a deterministic nonlinear system can result in large differences to a later state. The name of the effect, coined by Edward Lorenz, is derived from the theoretical example of a hurricane's formation being contingent on whether or not a distant butterfly had flapped its wings weeks before.”

Gleaning from Pastor Jerry’s sermon: We have been experiencing seasons; from Christmas to Lent, to the cross, to the resurrection and soon to Pentecost. 

Small changes in events created the differences in the life of Jesus, and each change fulfilled prophesy.

There are times in our lives that a small happening can upset our world.  Our five senses can’t account for everything that occurs.  Often our understanding demands answers that are short in coming.

To the followers of Jesus, everything that had happened did not make sense.  It all was beyond their limits of reasoning. 

The women believed the angel, even though they did not yet see Jesus, and they ran to tell Peter and the others, that Jesus has risen. 

Jesus made several appearances, first to Mary in the garden, then to ten of the disciples, with Thomas absent. 

Later he appeared to all the eleven, where he told Thomas to thrust his hand in his side and into the nail prints. 

Then he walked with two followers on the road to Emmaus, and finally he appeared at the beach where he had prepared a breakfast. 

Each time the followers wondered it this was really Jesus.  Finally they believed.

Peter was overwhelmed and under a lot of stress.  He decided to do something that he enjoyed, and that was to go fishing.

At times when we are under tension from the pressures of life, perhaps we need to take a break and so something that is fun for a change. 

At the beach, Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” This question was asked three times; perhaps a form of forgiveness for the three times Peter denied Jesus. 

Feed my Lambs, Feed my Sheep, Feed my Lambs, was what Jesus told Peter. 

Jesus breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Ghost,” which caused the disciples to become “Apostles.”  Later their small efforts would multiply with the butterfly effect.

None of the disciples were expected to do it all.  They were only to do as they were instructed by the command to “Go and tell.”  Their efforts were anointed by the Holy Spirit and multitudes came to believe in Jesus.

Do we recognize Jesus when he speaks to us?  We can’t do it all.  We are only to do what our Lord asks of us.   May we be faithful in what he has called us to do!

This post is shared with Charlotte’s Spiritual Sundays