Chaos theory and the butterfly effect.  In her insightful book, The Luminous Web–a collection of essays on science and religion –noted theologian and preacher, Barbara Brown Taylor, says, “… we belong to a web of creation in which nothing, absolutely nothing, is inconsequential.”  Whether it’s the sweet song of a bird in the early morning, the falling of fresh snow in the Colorado mountains, or the gravitational pull of an electron at the far edge of the Milky Way–none of these happenings is negligible.  They all matter.  They all have some impact on the unfolding of the universe. 

What these revelations point to is the discovery of a new science called chaos theory by MIT professor Edward Lorenz back in the 1960s.  As it turns out, this new science, along with relativity and quantum physics, became part of a great revolution in physical science in the twentieth century.  What chaos theory teaches is that even the most minuscule change (or event) anywhere makes a change–potentially significant–everywhere.  Chaos theory is sometimes referred to as the butterfly effect: how the flapping of a butterfly’s wings in Argentina can ignite a hurricane in South Florida. 

Everything we do and say matters.  Again, the point is, everything we do and say matters.  There is no such thing as an inconsequential act.  Think about this in light of these dark and polarized times leading up to our national election in 2024.  In particular, think of the massive and destructive consequences of Donald Trump refusing to concede his loss to President Joe Biden in the 2020 election.  The BIG LIE that ensued continues to have incalculable consequences.  To reiterate, what we do and say matters. 

If Trump had not been such a vile and malignant narcissist, he would have stood up like an adult, conducted himself like a patriotic American, and conceded his defeat.  Just imagine the dark consequences of his deeply self-absorbed decisions.  With no election denial, there would have been no January 6 insurrection.  There would have been no violence at our nation’s capitol, leading to the injury and death of many.  There would not have been the more than 560 prosecutions, resulting in hundreds serving jail time.  And in the larger picture, there would not have been the ongoing threat to our democracy and our Constitution. 

Furthermore, the blatant election denial has set off sparks in Republican state legislatures where laws have been passed to make it more difficult for people of color to vote, and where legislatures can choose to certify an alternate slate of electors (rejecting the will of the people) to cast the final vote for president. 

As this continues to play out, as a nation, we must move toward a place where the ethics of consequences weigh more heavily in our mind, heart, and spirit.  In an ethics of consequences, the rightness and wrongness of our choices matter.  Morality matters.  People can’t just do whatever they damned well please and sleep easily at night.  Consequences must be considered.  As chaos theory teaches–always–the consequences are more complicated than the causes. 

Love makes all things new.  In the emerging church, the implications of chaos theory should encourage us.  The smallest act of love, kindness, and compassion makes a difference–often, a difference greater than we will ever know.  These acts of kindness and love add up.  And over time, they lift up the spirit of community life.  Again, as chaos theory reminds us, there is no such thing as an inconsequential act.  We never know when a “thank you so much for your kindness,” or “I really appreciate your help on this” make a timely difference in a person’s church experience. 

Acts of love, kindness, and compassion should never be underestimated.  It’s hard to know where the love goes.  Wherever it goes, invariably, it has a transforming effect on people along the way.  In the parable, when the prodigal son “comes to his senses” and decides to return home, a new day is on the horizon.  The son has no idea how his father will receive him.  Very likely, the father, too, has no pre-planned reaction in mind.  However, when the spirit moves in the human heart–all the more when it’s unanticipated–good things happen.  In these moments, the depths of love break through barriers that might otherwise divide us.  When we’ve messed up, when we are overcome with guilt and trembling with uncertainty about how to move forward, the love shining through compassion and forgiveness can be life-transforming.  Certainly, this is the experience of the younger son.

The ethics of consequences prompts us to seek to do the right thing.  Why?  Because doing the right thing matters.  It strengthens our sense of self while–at the same time– spilling over into the spirit of our family, friends, and community.  With the 2024 election approaching, as a nation we need to make every effort to do the right thing.  We need to aim for the spiritual high ground, the ground where the hope of a “more perfect union” inspires us to be our best selves.  In summation, what we do matters, and how we vote will have enormous consequences for the future of our democratic republic. 

On election day, 2024, let a butterfly flap her wings in the heartland of our nation and let the heavens affirm a resounding celebration for a better future.  

The Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Frantz is a retired United Church of Christ minister.  He had long-term pastorates in San Diego County and in Miami Lakes, Florida.  His service as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Panama in the late sixties spurred his commitment to social justice ministries and to a spirit of ecumenism as a local church pastor.  He holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Pacific School of Religion. He is also the author of The Bible You Didn’t Know You Could Believe In,  The God You Didn’t Know You Could Believe In, and his just-published book: The Jesus You Didn’t Know You Could Believe In. Dr. Frantz and his wife, Yvette, are now retired and living in Florida.