The Snowball Effect

Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. 

(James 1:14-15)

What do you think of when you hear someone mention the "snowball effect?" If you are familiar with Dave Ramsey, you may think of a beneficial way to get rid of debt. This is not that type of snowball effect. I am talking about an unhealthy progression that builds slowly and ends in destruction.

 Picture a good-sized ball of snow sitting atop a mountain. This snowball is always there, calm and contained by a small barrier wall of snow. One day, the snow acting as a barrier was removed, perhaps by neglect or by direct force from an outside element. The snowball obeys the law of gravity and begins a journey down the mountain. It moves slowly at first, gently rolling along down a path, collecting more and more snow, building itself up bigger and bigger. It's increase in size is so gradual, it goes unnoticed until destruction starts to become apparent.

 The snowball travels faster and faster, getting even farther away from it's secure place of containment atop the mountain. At this point, there can be no good outcome. The force has gotten too strong and the destructive effects are out of control. It becomes an avalanche that smashes everything in it's path. Trees, animals, homes, people- any and all things of beauty and value on that hillside are in the path of what has now become an unstoppable avalanche.

The unfortunate end of the snowball is an enormous pile of useless wreckage. The material it was once composed of is still the same, but natural forces left to influence the snowball on their own have brought ruin.



 




This is an illustration of our inherent sinful nature. Our own desires are always there, but held in check. As soon as we let our resolute slip, even just a bit, they start to grow and result in sinful actions not only thought about, but acted out. If not stopped at this point, it begins a destructive progression that can lead to harm to those around us and death to everything good, which God has given us. Here are the verses this is based on once again:

 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. 

(James 1:14-15)

 Our desires + Sinful actions + Allowance to grow = Death

We have all seen this snowball effect lived out, whether it be in our own lives or the lives of those around us.  The good news is that the ugly mess of snow (and remnants of everything it crushed) can be made into a snowball once again. It cannot reconstruct itself on its own, but a powerful external force with creative capabilities can make it new again. Restored and made whole again by the one who created it in the first place. If you're in a big messy pile of ruin at the bottom of a mountain, look up and turn to the only one who can restore you to the form you were created to be. Only He can do it.