Things Happen | AllWorship.com

This is called Newton’s Cradle. You have likely seen one. Pull a ball out and let it swing into the stack and the one on the other end flies out. Action, reaction, cause, and effect. Click, click, click.

It is a way of illustrating the law of Classical Physics that says, in so many words, things happen because things happen. This is also true in our lives. Things happen because things happen, e.g., decisions we make and actions we take.

Take, for instance, our decision to follow Jesus. This decision has consequences. Also, to not make this decision has consequences. This reminds me of an ancient Japanese proverb: “To eat fugu is wise. Also, not to eat fugu is wise.”

Fugu is raw puffer fish. It contains a very powerful neurotoxin that is said to feel like electricity on the tongue. If not prepared precisely correctly, the eater can die before the next bite can be swallowed.

Paul speaks of the consequences that happened to a man named Epaphras in today’s Scripture passage. He was in jail as a consequence of his decision to follow Jesus. He counted his costs and stayed true to his decision.

Epaphras is also here in jail for being a follower of Christ Jesus. He sends his greetings, and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, who work together with me. (Phm 1:23-24 CEV)

Will we face incarceration for our decision to follow Jesus? Some may, depending on where they are in the world. The more likely consequences will be rejection or ridicule by relatives or friends, exclusion from events, jobs, or activities, or denial of opportunities.

What we must do now is decide if we are willing to accept the consequences of our decisions. If we decide to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, are we willing to accept what comes? And if we do not, we will–like it or not–experience those consequences as well.

Unlike the consequences I mentioned above, however, this decision has consequences that continue beyond this life. This makes it unique–and the most important decision a human can make because these consequences are unavoidable and everlasting.

Are you willing to be jailed for your decision to follow Jesus? Are you willing to experience rejection or be excluded? Are you willing to be seen as “different”? To accept Jesus and follow Him is wise. To deny Jesus and refuse to follow Him is … the greatest folly a human can commit (in this man’s opinion).

Imagine now those balls in Newton’s Cradle. Click, click, click. One swings out, comes back, hits the stack, and the ball on the other side flies out. Action, reaction, cause, and effect. It will continue until a greater force acts upon the process to stop it, e.g., you reaching out your hand to stop the motion.

Now, time to think:

What have you set in motion by your decisions and actions?
Are there things in motion that only God’s hand can stop?
What are you setting in motion right now?
Think about it. Think, as well, what you need to do about it. Do it … while you can.