“We are all capable of contributing to the world in a way that makes a profound difference. A rare few go big. Make the big gesture. Take the big risk. Expose themselves on a grand scale. Create and then ride the big wave.
But most of us, myself included, take a different yet equally valid path. It’s the path of the ripple.
Simple actions, moments, and experiences.
Created, offered, and delivered with such a purity of intention and depth of integrity and clarity that they set in motion a ripple that, quietly, in its own way, in its own time, expands onward.
Interacting with, touching, mattering to people we’ve never met in ways we never conceived.”
– Jonathan Fields, How to Live a Good Life
Although I don’t believe Jonathan is a Christian, he just summarized what we do in ministry. We make ripples.
In the early days of ministry I wanted to change the world.
I wanted to cause HUGE waves that would point massive amounts of young people to Jesus.
I wanted to go big.
The reality of ministry over the years has allowed me to see things a bit more clearly.
I go for small impact now. I make ripples. Then, God does something cool with that.
Whatever he does with whatever good I initiate or create is up to him.
I simply get out of the way.
I’m removed from the outcome.
I hope what I do makes a difference in the lives of students.
I want to see students in a deep passionate relationship with Jesus.
Connected to each other. Serving those around them.
But my only job is to create ripples.
I believe we’re all in the same boat too.
We’re all making ripples, stepping out of the way, allowing God to do his stuff in the lives of students.
- Nick Diliberto, Ministry to Youth - Preteen