Many of us are familiar with the classic starfish story; a boy is frantically trying to rescue a plethora of beached starfish after a typhoon and is approached by an older gentleman; he informs the young lad that he will never be able to save the starfish and what he is doing is not making a difference. The famous retort offered by the little chap is “I made a difference to that one”.
Say what you may, I have always been inspired by that children’s folk tale. It drives home a crucial point that all of humanity needs to hear: One act by one person once a day can change the world. It has been famously uttered many different ways “Be the change you wish to see in the world” or Mother Theresa’s famous line “Go home and love your family” in response to a question of peace.
Jesus Christ approached his ministry in much the same way. He loved the unlovable, healed those who were sick, offered comfort and peace to those embattled with internal conflict and commanded us to do the same.
Right now, you know someone,someone who is within you sphere of influence, that you could help in some small way. A simple hug to the lonely or an ear to the downtrodden or a shoulder to cry on for those in mourning could make all the difference to someone in desperate need. And none of the aforementioned cost a dime, yet the returns on your investment are truly incalculable.
So, next time you are discouraged by what you see on the news or read in the paper, fear not. Perhaps the macro-chaos is out of your control, but a change in the micro-humanity is but phone call or knock on the door away.
