Making A Difference

Making a Difference

Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 28:19

Needing a break, a businessman and his wife escaped for a few days of relaxation at an oceanfront hotel. One night a violent storm lashed the beach and sent massive breakers thundering against the shore. The man lay in his bed, listening and thinking about his own stormy life of never-ending demands and pressures.

The wind finally died down, and shortly before daybreak the man slipped out of bed and took a walk along the beach to see what damage had been done. As he strolled, he saw that the beach was covered with starfish that had been thrown ashore and helplessly stranded by the great waves. Once the morning sun burned through the clouds, the starfish would dry out and die.

Suddenly the man saw an interesting sight. A young boy who had also noticed the plight of the starfish was picking them up, one at a time, and flinging them back into the ocean.

“Why are you doing that?” the man asked the lad as he got close enough to be heard. “Can’t you see that one person will never make a difference—you’ll never be able to get all those starfish back into the water. There are just too many.”

“Yes, that’s true.” The boy sighed as he bent over and picked up another and tossed it back into the water. Then as he watched it sink, he looked at the man, smiled, and said, “But it sure made a difference to that one.”

No one can save all the lost of the world, but each one of us can touch one other life with the sweet message of salvation. And think what a difference it will make to that one!

—Denis Waitley

I want to be more like you, Lord. I want to reach out and touch the heart of someone near me with your love and grace. And I know you will help me. Amen.