Entomologists have identified more than 3,600 butterfly species in the countries of West Africa. Each one creates a minuscule movement of air when it flaps its wings. It is said if this small disturbance of air happens at the right location at the right time it has the potential of producing the high winds of a hurricane on the east coast of America. My Dad would say when a hurricane hit our area, “a butterfly started this.” I always thought he was teasing, but later learned this was an actual hypothesis in the mathematical theory called the Chaos Theory. The theory came about by accident in 1961 while Edward Lorenz was studying weather prediction. He proposed that minor causes have major effects. He called it “the butterfly effect.” The butterfly’s wings flapping doesn’t directly create a hurricane, but it begins a chain reaction leading to major changes in worldwide weather patterns.
You’re probably thinking, “Ok, interesting science lesson, but what does that have to do with sustaining me through the week?” We most often think of the powerful works of God in the universe. “I, the Lord, am the maker of all things, Stretching out the heavens by Myself And spreading out the earth all alone, (Isa 44:24). But, what about God’s activity in the opposite end of the spectrum—from the heavens declaring His glory down to His sovereignty in the microscopic realm of molecules, atoms, electrons, protons, neutrons, etc. Solomon wrote, While He had not yet made the earth and the fields, Nor the first dust of the world (Pro 8:26). Several scholars suggest the word for dust, actually means atom. This is the same word uses for the making of man. Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (Gen 2:7). We are mere collections of atoms given life from the breath of God.
The study for this lesson has brought me to a completely new level of awe in my understanding of God’s greatness. His control of the complex interaction of multiple actions in just the science of weather is beyond our comprehension. Yet, the amazing part is that nothing happens by random acts of chance. I wrote last month that at creation God brought order to chaos. What man labels today under the Chaos Theory are instead God’s dynamic interactions with minuscule components bringing about His plan. God not only controls the stars and planets of the galaxies, He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name (Psalm 147:4), He controls the movement of each atom and the electrons orbiting its nucleus. God knows the location of every butterfly on the planet and the movement of the air molecules caused by the flap of its wings. Scientist will never discover the near infinite number of elements that interact to cause a change in weather. Yet, God knows and controls every part.
The complexity of the human makeup is far greater than any other system in the universe; I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps 139:14). God designed each person for an exact purpose. He determined the right sperm and egg for your conception to fulfill His purpose. Think about all that happened at the microscope level. God knew every strand of DNA that would make you the person you are. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth (Psa 139:15). How great is our God, controlling 500,000 conceptions all over the world each day. Moreover, without God controlling and sustaining the infinitesimal elements of the universe, creation would once again be total chaos. Imagine if everything was by random chance. Note that nuclear power and weapons begin with the change of only one electron in uranium.
Multiple applications come out of these thoughts. For me the most outstanding is the greatness of God controlling and sustaining the universe down to the subatomic. Second is how the Lord utilizes minor causes to bring about major effects. The butterfly causes a minor change in air flow, but God uses that to bring about major effects in the weather. Apply this to your life. You may feel small and useless, but you will never know in this life the effect of a kind word or act to a cashier at Lowe’s or Walmart, etc. The great Church Father Augustine was encouraged and changed by a passing comment by a young boy on the beach. His theology books and writings on God are still used today. One display of love to a discouraged person ready to give up can lead to hope and the person becoming a powerful preacher or teacher of the Gospel. This principle applies to Holy Spirit’s care for us. You may feel you are in a hopeless situation and can’t see God responding to your prayers. However, somewhere a butterfly has flapped its wings that will bring your miracle. Israel came to Lake Marah and the water was bitter. God told Moses to cut down a certain tree and it would make the waters sweet. Who or how was the seed for that tree planted long before God’s thirsty people arrived? Maybe it started when a faraway butterfly flapped it wings.
Sustaining Word for the Week: God has already directed the butterfly to flap its wings that will bring the solution to your need. Do something kind this week even if it is small. How great is our God!