A pilot friend of mine shared that once she was flying near a large airport and was surprised when the tower radioed about a problem. Apparently, one of her instruments needed recalibration. There was a 100-foot error in her altitude. That small difference could have been detrimental if her small plane had encountered the wind blast left by a jet.

In his book, Gradually Then Suddenly, Mark Batterson discusses “the butterfly effect,” which basically means a small change can make a big difference over time.

Batterson uses Paul’s voyage to Rome (Acts 27) as an example. When the ship’s captain noticed “a gentle soft wind,” they set sail. Soon a “wind of hurricane force” blew them off course, grounding the wrecked ship on an island. There, Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake and healed. He met the chief official, healed his ill father, and then healed many others. Revival followed … all traced back to one small puff of wind!

We never know how our action and words will affect the future … perhaps even future generations.

You may teach a small group, chat with or help a neighbor, share Bible stories with a child, or encourage someone over coffee. You think it’s nothing. But it could change someone’s entire trajectory. It could be just that “puff” or Holy Spirit moment they needed or remembered.

Perhaps you, influencing one person, could in turn touch the hearts of millions.

May these words from Zechariah encourage you: “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin” (Zech. 4:10 NLT). God is not celebrating the end result. He is thrilled, and applauds when we begin the work, no matter how small.