The Deposit
I’ve been thinking a lot about how stones hit water when you toss them in. As soon as the impact of the stone hits surface, that stone sinks to the bottom and a ripple effect flows outward from that point. I like to think about people and the way we interact with one another in the same way, and furthermore, how the ripples and deposits we leave inside one another or behind us have the capacity to also ripple something positive or negative into the atmosphere.
A situation in my life recently occurred where I began to see the effects of my actions and the capacity I have to leave a positive or negative deposit on those around me. At the end of the day, God is the head, but the choice is ultimately up to me in how I decide to proceed. If I proceed positively, positive flows outward. If I proceed negatively, negativity flows from. It can be amazing. It can also be detrimental.
Sometimes, when we make choices, the detrimental kind aren’t even intentionally there to hurt anyone. Often I am aghast to find that my actions, which I had no idea were hurting others in the moment, left behind a negative deposit. However, this is part of being human and the joy in constantly being renewed, having accountability, and being in relationship with those around you. It’s part of realizing that the place you hold on this earth truly does matter and that your choices are not void of making an impact.
I am currently reading The Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan (also being adapted into a television series this November). There are three main characters: Rand, Perrin, and Mat. They are called ta’veren, which basically is a term for “you have the power to change things and leave lasting impact wherever you go.” The series explores the different choices these characters make.
As Rand, the chosen one, descends into madness, Perrin seeks reconciliation and healing, and Mat wanders about like the choices he makes are random and really don’t matter. I’m sure a lot changes as the book series progresses, but it’s really interesting to watch the series unfold with three vastly different characters, but all with the same term blanketed over them. Their capacity to change the world around them and leave a lasting impact wherever they go is inspiring, spinning an epic story I won’t be putting down until I finish.
As I began to think about all these concepts along with the ripple effect, it made me also think about this in light of the Bible and the truth. When I look at the bible, I think about the multitude of people who walked their walks and made good choices and bad. I think about the number of people who constantly turned their back on God and how in the middle of those choices, also lead others astray.
Heroes of the faith were not void of the consequences of their actions when they were bad. It’s a relief the Bible documented both the good choices and the bad choices of those it highlighted. Evil people turned good in light of the healing power of truth. Mistakes made were later turned around for good in the unfolding story of the gospel. I think of Jesus who was the one and only perfect human being, and how his positive actions left deposits in those He encountered.
I look to His example and see how far I have yet to go, but thank God that He gives grace because I will never reach that level of perfection.
As long as we are looking to the One who was the perfect example of a positive deposit on this earth, are open to the correction negative deposits flare up in us, and are always looking to leave the most positive effect behind us wherever we go, then that’s what matters, and that is what counts.
What deposit are you looking to leave behind?