The Ripple Effect

Zheng Xiaoyu is a name we don't hear everyday. He is the former head of China's State Food and Drug Administration. He had been sentenced to death for taking around $800,000 from pharmaceutical companies. This may seem like a harsh sentence for the abuse of his position of authority and bribery. However, there is more to it than just the illegal aspect of his crime. Xiaoyu's criminal behavior became evident on the heels of the recent pet food poisoning of thousands of pets around the world. Of course, as attached as we are to our pets that would hardly be a justification for a death sentence even in China. The fact is Xiaoyu also approved a number of drugs and devices for use on humans that killed many people. These people died because of his covetousness and greed. Although his crimes were committed on the other side of the world many people were affected. He did not know these people and most may never know how he touched their lives in such a horrible way.

It is amazing how our actions have an impact on the lives of other people. This influence not only reaches those we know. It reaches those we don't know. It goes so far that people we have never met may be changed. Influence is a powerful thing. It has a ripple effect. Just as a stone dropped in the middle of a calm, still pool of water sends multiple ripples out from the source of the disturbance in the water, our influence ripples out into the lives of unsuspecting souls all around us. Sadly, there are those who don't care how their actions can hurt other people. They are only concerned with their own selfish interest. On the other hand, we have the potential to positively influence those same people if we will live our lives selflessly and righteously. We can add flavor to the lives of untold multitudes if we will allow the salt of a godly influence to permeate and preserve our lives. We can drive the darkness of sin and ignorance out of our little part of the world by being the lights God intends us to be (Matthew 5:13-16). Remember, your good influence has a ripple effect.