Ripples

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NLT

Most of us like to be in charge.

We make our plans, map out our goals, and then politely invite God along for the ride. We ask Him to bless our mission instead of waiting for His direction.

But before Jesus sent His disciples into the world, He first told them to wait.

Wait for the Holy Spirit.

Wait for His power.

Wait for His instructions.

Because following Jesus was never meant to be accomplished in our own strength. When we say yes to Him and make Him Lord of our lives, He gives us His Spirit and invites us to walk hand in hand with Him.

Then Jesus described a series of ever-widening circles—like the ripples that spread across a lake when you throw a rock into the water.

Jerusalem. Judea. Samaria. The ends of the earth.

It wasn't merely geography. It was a pattern.

For us, Jerusalem is home—our family, friends, and the people closest to us. Sometimes we dream about changing the world while neglecting the people sitting around our own dinner table.

Judea is our community—the neighbors, cashiers, servers, coworkers, and familiar faces we encounter every day.

Samaria represents people whose faith has become tangled with culture, tradition, or teachings that only resemble Christianity. People who may know the name of Jesus without truly knowing Him.

And the ends of the earth? Some are called to cross oceans. Others are called to cross streets, prison doors, or social barriers. All matter to God.

Not everyone is called to go everywhere. But all of us are called to start somewhere.

Start in your Jerusalem. Then let God create the ripples.

You don't have to cross an ocean to change the world.

Sometimes changing the world starts by reaching the people already sitting at your table.

You are loved!