TRICKLE-DOWN EFFECT

TRICKLE-DOWN: 

• a situation in which something that starts in the high parts of a system spreads to the whole of the system
• relating to or being an effect caused gradually by remote or indirect influences

Oh my, mention trickle-down and you can start one really big political argument.  This is not a political post, but I want to look at a recent movie using the trickle-down effect.

I love the Kendrick brother’s movies.  It all started at the Sherwood Baptist Church, in Albany, Georgia.  Two brothers wanted to make movies.  The church said, “Sure.”  The rest is history, as they produced Flywheel, Facing the Giants, Fireproof, Courageous, War Room, and their current movie, Overcomer. 

DISCLAIMER:  If you plan on seeing Overcomer, please stop reading now.  Go to the movie and then read the rest.

Trickle-down

• Major employer closes its doors -- therefore
• People start moving to other locations for jobs -- therefore
• Students move out of the school district -- therefore
• There are less jobs and teachers take a pay cut -- therefore
• Stores close -- therefore
• The main character is a coach and no longer has a basketball team – therefore

Trickle-up

• He agrees to coach cross country -- and
• Only one girl shows up -- and
• She meets her father – she had been told he was dead -- and
• She becomes a believer -- and
• She wins the state race (of course) -- and
• Goes on to influence others with her faith

I believe there is a trickle-down effect in our lives.  Some we have no control over and the effects ripple out into the community – sometimes, even into the world.  In the movie, an employer closing their doors forced the community to redefine itself.  Friends moved away taking their children out of the school system.  A community that gathered every Friday for football or basketball, no longer had anything to cheer about.  Income drops and stores close.

I also believe there is a trickle-up effect in our lives.  One man agrees to coach one girl.  One girl learns she was lied to, but also learns she has a Heavenly Father that never leaves her and never lies to her.  She accepts being forgiven and then forgives others.  And the ripple begins.  Once more, a community gathers and they cheer as one girl crosses the finish line.  And one girl goes to college and shares her story and her faith.  The ripple spreads further.

All this made me think.  The way I live my life – Do my actions have a trickle-down effect or a trickle-up effect?