The butterfly effect
One of my favorite movies is The Butterfly Effect.
The name for the movie comes from a phrase that is often used in chaos theory. It encapsulates the notion that a seemingly small and insignificant event, like a single flap of a butterfly’s wings, can be all it takes to make a difference in something much larger, like whether two countries will enter into a war, or settle their differences peacefully.
I just read a post by Shane Vander Hart, on Caffeinated Thoughts, that demonstrates the butterfly effect our small choices and actions have.
The post is about Desmond Tutu, the African Bishop, and the reason why he chose to become an Anglican priest.
The African Bishop, Desmond Tutu, was once asked why he became an Anglican rather than joining some other denomination. He replied that in the days of apartheid, when a black person and a white person met while walking on a footpath, the black person was expected to step into the gutter to allow the white person to pass and nod their head as a gesture of respect.
“One day” Tutu says, “when I was just a little boy, my mother and I were walking down the street when a tall white man, dressed in a black suit, came toward us. Before my mother and I could step off the sidewalk, as was expected of us, this man stepped off the sidewalk and, as my mother and I passed, tipped his hat in a gesture of respect to her! I was more than surprised at what had happened and I asked my mother, ‘Why did that white man do that?’ My mother explained, ‘He’s an Anglican priest. He’s a man of God, that’s why he did it.’ When she told me that he was an Anglican priest I decided there and then that I wanted to be an Anglican priest too. And what is more, I wanted to be a man of God.”
Our smallest actions, even those that seem about as significant as the flap of a butterfly’s wings, can changes the lives of other people in a good or bad way, determine whether that person will live a life that serves only himself, or a life that serves God, save or break friendships, change the outcome of wars and even effect eternity.
September 20th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
This is a great post. I never got to see The Butterfly Effect. I hear it is a great movie. Very interesting – the interview with Tutu. Very heart-warming as well. I think things like this happen to all of us at one time or another. Something happens that resonates inside of us; that makes us aware of who we are and what we need to be or do in life. For some it comes early – for others it comes later in life. Obviously this encounter made a huge impression on Tutu. What a great story. You learn something new everyday, don’tcha?
September 21st, 2008 at 06:28 am
Hi Francois.
Ek het die fliek gesien. Dit was baie treffend dat hulle in die fliek juis ‘n skoenlapper gebruik het wat die hele bestaan van die aarde verander het.
Sodra ons Jesus aanneem as ons persoonlike saligmaker dan voel dit daardie oomblik ook amper soos ‘n skoenlapper effek, maar dit verander ons hele lewe en bestemming.
Daarom is dit ook nodig dat ons Christus uitlewe sodat ander mense die skoenlapper effek kan ervaar.. Uitstekende inskrywing.
September 21st, 2008 at 08:26 pm
UGH!!! I don’t understand that!!!!! Can someone PLEASE translate those comments?!?!?
September 21st, 2008 at 08:21 pm
Sorry Riaan – no offense. I would just love to know what you are saying.
September 21st, 2008 at 10:44 pm
@Robin
Riaan says that one of the most defining moments in anyone’s life is the moment he accepts Christ.
It may feel seemingly insignificant at the time, but it is one thing that truly does effect eternity. The whole of heaven celebrates every time a person accepts Christ!
That is also why it is important for us to live in such a way that our actions influence others to be drawn to Christ.
@Riaan
Excellent point Riaan!
September 22nd, 2008 at 09:20 pm
that is a great movie.
i enjoyed reading all the comments.
September 24th, 2008 at 03:45 am
Thank you Francois! Wow what great words Riaan! I love the idea that the whole of Heaven rejoices when a decision is made to accept Christ.
You are so right that it is very important for us to live a Christ-like life. In this case, the statement, “actions speak louder than words” is never more clearer. Christians are what turn people off to Christ. They hear what we say and then they watch what we do. If we are not practicing what we preach, we not only put ourselves in a bad light – we put Christ in a bad light too.