Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

When we were kids, there was something exhilarating about finding the biggest rock you could carry and hurling it into the water just to see the splash. But it’s not just the splash that grabs your attention; it’s the ripples. They spread, farther, disrupting everything around them.

As children, it’s all about fun, competition, and curiosity. But as an adult, I’ve come to see that moment differently. That simple action, the impact of one object, can change the surface of the entire pond. One rock. One movement. One ripple… and everything shifts.

As Paul opens his letter to the Thessalonians, we see this ripple effect unfold, not just in some small pond in Ellisville, Mississippi, but across the entire body of Christ. It starts with something seemingly small: Paul and Timothy living faithfully among the people, day by day. No fanfare. Just consistency and authenticity.

But their presence caused a ripple.

Then came persecution. The Thessalonian church didn’t cave; instead, they responded with joy. Another ripple. Their reaction wasn’t just for themselves, but it became an example for the churches in Macedonia and Achaia.

And it didn’t stop there. The text tells us that “the Lord’s message rang out… your faith in God has become known everywhere” (1 Thess. 1:8). Ripple upon ripple upon ripple.

This challenges me: Every action, every word, every decision we make daily has the potential to cause a ripple that changes lives.

Paul and Timothy didn’t know where their actions would lead or what ripples would follow, but they just lived faithfully. And because they did, and because the Thessalonian church did, entire regions were changed. It happened then, and it can happen now.

If the Gospel ripple started in ancient Thessalonica and echoed across the known world, what could happen if we lived with the same intentionality here in South Mississippi?

May we be challenged to treat every day, every encounter, and every action as if it may have the ability to cause a ripple that changes our very region.

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.

• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises? 
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you? 
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.

FALL AT VENTURE

KXP, MVMNT, The Gathering, House Church, and Care Groups are all starting back this fall! For launch dates and events, check out the Fall at Venture webpage.