The butterfly effect

 

The butterfly effect is this idea that suggests that a butterfly fluttering it’s wings on one side of the world, has the ability to impact the weather on the other side of the world. It speaks to the inter-connectedness of us all and points to the fact that for every action there is an equal reaction. The theory was received with some mockery, became a thing of myths and urban legends, and eventually became accepted by science itself.

Ideas like the collective unconscious and the butterfly effect demolish the belief that a man can be an island unto himself, orbiting his own little planet and creating his own little reality. Instead, everything in the world, including us, exists in a kind of symbiosis, and the tiniest little thing we do, like a butterfly fluttering it’s wings, has an impact on the world around us. Every kind word spoken has the power to alter the fabric of the universe, to change someone’s destiny, to rewrite a story. So does every cranky word, every famine, every war…..oh crap……

When I first learned about the butterfly effect, I had an anxiety attack, which eventually progressed into a full blown existentialist crisis. One of the fun things about being a Christian is that you can have a good existentialist crisis, stare into the abyss, let go, free fall…and you’ll land in hysterics about three feet down at the foot of a King. Plunk! I’ve done it so many times, I imagine the angels just roll their eyes and say, “it’s that crazy woman again, questioning the nature of Creation. Must be a girl thing. Seems to be some part of their design.”

At least that’s what happens when you’re a Christian and have the Lord’s favor. If you don’t have His favor, you may well plunge into the abyss and the angels watch you go by in a free fall and sing, “wheeeee, look at that one go!” I have no idea and no desire to find out. It’s a long way down to the bottom of the abyss.

We really do create reality for ourselves and for those around us. Everything we do, no matter how small, has an impact on those around us and on those not around us, and on those yet to come. People are far more important, far more valuable to the equation, than most of us realize. Every single one of us, every word spoken, every breath we take, every thought we have, alters the very fabric of the universe.

It’s a huge responsibility, enough to trigger a good existentialist crisis, and
underscores the profound implications of the Greatest Commandment.

Our lives really are the greatest love story ever told and we are called to live them
as if we are all madly and passionately in love with every breathless moment. As if
that is not the most awesome thing ever, our lives are only the first chapter.