Next Wave International Next Wave International™ is a faith-based communications group >which is
training organizations to engage the future & move society forward
in a positive direction. Founder / Director: Mal Fletcher

One Small Act …

Thursday, March 12, 2026 Print version    PDA version    
John 12:3 'Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.' (NIV)

Today scientists talk about the so-called Butterfly Effect. The theory goes that the wings of a butterfly beating in one part of the world can actually lead to changes in conditions many hundreds of miles away, even on the other side of the world. Everything in nature is, in some way, connected; every cause has an effect. In the same way, individual choices made by individual people – even insignificant people – can change situations and events, sometimes on a huge scale, and sometimes many miles away or many years into the future. There is no way that Mary, be forgiven sinner, could possibly have foreseen the impact her one simple act of devotion would have on people the world over. How could she have known, when she walked into that room filled with hostile faces, that her simple but brave act of anointing the feet of Jesus would warmly touch the hearts of shame-filled people of every nation and race? Or that Jesus' response to her would inspire untold millions to reach out for divine forgiveness, whatever their sin. If your heart is pure toward God, and you do what you do out of devotion to him, you may be surprised how big an impact it will have.

Prayer: 'Lord Jesus, I love you. Please help me to set in motion good things, because I act out of humble devotion to you, with a heart of worship and love.'

© 2003-2004 Mal Fletcher


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