A boy was walking on the beach
and, like by magic wish,
he saw at once within his reach
few hundreds of starfish.
They were spread out all around -
a glistening, sparkling sheet...
What brought such numbers here down
to die right by his feet?
Moved by compassion, he began
to throw to the sea
as many starfish as one can
at their silent plea.
The waves splashed without care
and in a moment’s flick
by tossing starfish in the air
were swallowing them quick.
A man was passing on the beach
and noticed him from far
and, wanting some good sense to teach,
said: “This is too bizarre!”
“You’ll never manage to save all,
your efforts are futile,
and for this task you are too small,
they’re spreading for a mile!”
"What difference your efforts make?
Most surely will die.
And for your own time’s sake,
tell to them all “Goodbye!”.
The boy replied to such call,
by sticking to his plan:
“Perhaps, I cannot save them all,
but few of them I can!”
He picked another dying star,
despite the man’s advice
and threw the starfish very far
to fishes’ paradise.
And with the air of “well done”
he watched the starfish dive.
“The difference is for this one
that it will be alive!”
15.12.2022
“Once, on ancient Earth, there was a human boy walking along a beach. There had just been a storm, and starfish had been scattered along the sands. The boy knew the fish would die, so he began to fling the fish to the sea. But every time he threw a starfish, another would wash ashore. "An old Earth man happened along and saw what the child was doing. He called out, 'Boy, what are you doing?' " 'Saving the starfish!' replied the boy. " 'But your attempts are useless, child! Every time you save one, another one returns, often the same one! You can't save them all, so why bother trying? Why does it matter, anyway?' called the old man. "The boy thought about this for a while, a starfish in his hand; he answered, "Well, it matters to this one." And then he flung the starfish into the welcoming sea.”
; Loren Eiseley, "The Star Thrower"
How does Jesus make a difference in your life?
Image result for biblical meaning of making a difference
Jesus is important to us because through His Atonement, teachings, hope, peace, and example, He helps us change our lives, face our trials, and move forward with faith as we journey back to Him and His Father.
"But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him: Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked." 1 John 2:5-6
“A single, ordinary person still can make a difference – and single, ordinary people are doing precisely that every day.”
— Chris Bohjalian, Vermont-based author and speaker
3 Ways to Make a Difference in the Place God Puts You
1. Recognize that God has given you exactly what you can handle for his glory in the place he has put you.
What does that mean? It means instead of focusing on what you don’t have, see the place you are in as a gift to be used for God’s glory. Erwin Lutzer reminds us, “The work that God does in us when we wait is usually more important than the thing for which we wait!” There is so much we can learn from God when we embrace the place he has us in, rather than wasting our time looking for a way out. If you don’t understand the place God has put you, pray for understanding, ask for guidance, and read his Word for clarity. Remember that wherever you are God has a purpose for this place, and he has equipped you to bring him glory there.
2. Use what God has given you to the best of your ability for his glory.
God will give you the strength you need to accomplish the tasks he has placed before you. Matthew 5:15 declares, “Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.” The gospel is to be shared with all people, in all places, at all times. Wherever you are, you are a steward of God’s gospel in your community. Don’t waste the place you are in because it doesn’t fit your ideal description of where you want to be. No matter what, continue to use what you have been given for the glory of the Giver.
3. Do not compare what God has given you with what he has given someone else.
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Individuals in the Bible who made the difference
Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Esther, Elijah, Elisha...
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:13-16
Mark 16:15
"And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."
2 Timothy 2:22
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
"Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone." Colossians 4:5-6
Check: how many dying starfish are on your beach?
How many people who don't know the Lord and are destined to die in hell?
Would your example of righteous living give hope to others to be transformed in the image of Christ and to have an eternal life? Is your life full of the fruit of the Holy Spirit?
Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."