Small Moments, Big Impact
9/8/2024 8:39:00 AM | Spiritual Formation
Written by: Megan Sullivan
Some of our students at Lipscomb Academy recently led a chapel about small moments having a big impact. They talked about how one small spark can lead to a forest fire or less than one second in a basketball game can alter the outcome. I then had the opportunity to share some small moments in my life; things like when I picked up a volleyball for the first time, met my best friends, accepted a job, as well as the moment my parents told us they were getting divorced, or when my dad was diagnosed with brain cancer, or the moment I chose to enter the transfer portal. What strikes me most about these small moments is we often do not recognize the magnitude of their significance until we look back.
When I first got to Lipscomb, I came from the University of Houston and didn't have much of an understanding of faith, nor an interest. However, I was quickly immersed in a faith-based community that seemed to speak of Jesus everywhere I turned. Long story short, there was a period of wrestling, asking questions, and wondering if God even existed. (Disclaimer: I have come to fully believe that He does and He is far greater than I could ever begin to comprehend.) From conversations, Bible classes, and tons questions to intentional Bible studies and eventually coming to the end of myself, I have chosen to fully surrender my life to Christ not only because I believe He's real, but also because He is worthy of my life as He is the one who created me and ordained all of my days before one of them came to be. As I look back, it was a cumulation of small, mundane, ordinary moments that had an eternal impact on my life.
While I am beyond thankful for these small moments that led me to where I am today, I am fully aware this doesn't just happen to me or to you; rather it's been happening since the beginning of creation. Many people are familiar with the story of Jesus meeting the Woman at the Well in John 4. We often focus on the way Jesus interacts with her, engages in conversation, and ultimately offers a different way of life; however, I encourage you to read it real quick and instead, focus on the woman and her perspective.
I can't help but be curious about her life; wondering how many times she had walked to that very well, what was on her mind that day, what she was feeling as she noticed someone else at the well. Based on this short story, many have come to conclude this woman was an outcast as it was typical to go to the well in the morning and in a group. She was also a Samaritan woman and Jesus was a Jewish man which had all kinds of layered nuances and societal norms. And on top of that, she had been married many times, so at the very least was well acquainted with rejection. Yet here she was, at this all too familiar well. The end of John 4 goes on to talk about how this woman went to testify to the people of her town which led them to seek Jesus for themselves. Then, "They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." (John 4:42).
And it all started with one moment, one encounter that changed so much. You see, what is fascinating to me is that it wasn't merely the woman's testimony, however, it was the people's encounter with Jesus just as it was the woman's encounter with Jesus that changed things. The same is true in my life, it wasn't merely the Bible studies or church services (although those are good things), it was MY encounter with Jesus that changed everything. So, whatever you're chasing or pursuing in life, whatever you're after in each moment, my prayer is for us to remember Jesus is already there, just as He was already at the well.
Some of our students at Lipscomb Academy recently led a chapel about small moments having a big impact. They talked about how one small spark can lead to a forest fire or less than one second in a basketball game can alter the outcome. I then had the opportunity to share some small moments in my life; things like when I picked up a volleyball for the first time, met my best friends, accepted a job, as well as the moment my parents told us they were getting divorced, or when my dad was diagnosed with brain cancer, or the moment I chose to enter the transfer portal. What strikes me most about these small moments is we often do not recognize the magnitude of their significance until we look back.
When I first got to Lipscomb, I came from the University of Houston and didn't have much of an understanding of faith, nor an interest. However, I was quickly immersed in a faith-based community that seemed to speak of Jesus everywhere I turned. Long story short, there was a period of wrestling, asking questions, and wondering if God even existed. (Disclaimer: I have come to fully believe that He does and He is far greater than I could ever begin to comprehend.) From conversations, Bible classes, and tons questions to intentional Bible studies and eventually coming to the end of myself, I have chosen to fully surrender my life to Christ not only because I believe He's real, but also because He is worthy of my life as He is the one who created me and ordained all of my days before one of them came to be. As I look back, it was a cumulation of small, mundane, ordinary moments that had an eternal impact on my life.
While I am beyond thankful for these small moments that led me to where I am today, I am fully aware this doesn't just happen to me or to you; rather it's been happening since the beginning of creation. Many people are familiar with the story of Jesus meeting the Woman at the Well in John 4. We often focus on the way Jesus interacts with her, engages in conversation, and ultimately offers a different way of life; however, I encourage you to read it real quick and instead, focus on the woman and her perspective.
I can't help but be curious about her life; wondering how many times she had walked to that very well, what was on her mind that day, what she was feeling as she noticed someone else at the well. Based on this short story, many have come to conclude this woman was an outcast as it was typical to go to the well in the morning and in a group. She was also a Samaritan woman and Jesus was a Jewish man which had all kinds of layered nuances and societal norms. And on top of that, she had been married many times, so at the very least was well acquainted with rejection. Yet here she was, at this all too familiar well. The end of John 4 goes on to talk about how this woman went to testify to the people of her town which led them to seek Jesus for themselves. Then, "They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." (John 4:42).
And it all started with one moment, one encounter that changed so much. You see, what is fascinating to me is that it wasn't merely the woman's testimony, however, it was the people's encounter with Jesus just as it was the woman's encounter with Jesus that changed things. The same is true in my life, it wasn't merely the Bible studies or church services (although those are good things), it was MY encounter with Jesus that changed everything. So, whatever you're chasing or pursuing in life, whatever you're after in each moment, my prayer is for us to remember Jesus is already there, just as He was already at the well.
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