Making a Difference One at a Time

“We know only too well that what we are doing is nothing more than a drop in the ocean. But if the drop were not there, the ocean would be missing something.” Mother Teresa

In the 1980s, the Christian community to which I belonged used to tell the story of someone throwing starfish into the sea. It turns out that the story being told was one of many adaptations of a 1969 essay called The Star Thrower by Loren Eiseley, an American educator and philosopher. Perhaps you’ve heard it before. Let me tell you the story (approximately) as I heard it.

“An old man was walking on the beach one morning after a big storm had passed. He found it covered with starfish as far he could see. As he walked, he came across a young man who was bending down, picking up starfish and casting them into the sea. The old man asked the younger one, ‘What are you doing?’ The young man looked at him and replied ‘Throwing starfish into the sea. If they don’t get back in the water, they’ll die.’ The old man looked at him and said ‘Don’t you realize there are far too many here to make a difference?’ Without looking up, the young man pitched another starfish into the sea and said ‘It made a difference to that one.'”

Motivational lecturers have long used variations of the story to encourage people that they can make a difference in the lives of others. In Christian circles it was sometimes also used as an antidote to the overwhelming feeling that “I can’t influence all the people around me who need Jesus.” You see, Christians often think they must have the reach of a Billy Graham in order to be a ‘good’ or ‘effective’ Christian. What I like about the story is that it is a good reminder that touching one person at a time is OK.

I don’t hear much about it in Christian circles anymore. That makes me a little sad. However, I like to tell the story whenever I come across a person who is feeling overwhelmed by the desire to ‘make a difference.’ It helps them realize that a person can only do so much. Each person has different skills, abilities, experiences and views. We should not try to be something we’re not. We may not be great evangelists. That doesn’t mean that you can’t influence people for the good. A simple kind word to that checkout clerk or person in line with you may make an ocean of difference. You may find yourself with the opportunity to minister one-on-one with a friend or neighbor. Who knows what your calling might be. Just because our reach is not vast does not imply it isn’t meaningful.

What’s most important is that we choose to take advantage of the opportunities that are presented to us. The beach is large, and the starfish are many, but if we don’t pick up the ones within our reach and get them to water, they will surly die. The world is enormous and people are many. If we don’t help the ones within our reach, they may die as well. We are not responsible for them all, but we should help as many as we can. Heed the story of the star thrower and reach out to others. Even if it takes you out of your comfort zone at first, it will be worth the effort for you, and for them. Eventually it will become as natural as breathing.