That Starfish Story

January 10, 2021

Hello, friend. I’m writing this today because I believe there is someone who needs to hear it. I may never know who you are, but Jesus knows.

Five years ago God told me to start a blog. For a long time, every time I wrote something, I felt passionate about it, feeling deep in my bones that every post was important because God would use my words to encourage someone.

Recently I realized I haven’t felt as passionate about writing. Why not?

I guess I have started to fall for the lie that if I’m not helping enough people with my writing, I just don’t have time for it. We only get so many hours in a day, and inevitably I am pulled elsewhere.

Then I remembered something. That Starfish Story. I bet you’ve heard it. It’s about the importance of helping just one.

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf.

Then, smiling at the man, he said…..“I made a difference for that one.”

-Loren Eisley

You love it, don’t you? Me too! I’m smiling right now! And the message is so powerful.

If I can encourage just one person with my writing, it’s worth it.

God doesn’t measure success in numbers. God looks at the motivation of our hearts. With every act of love we accomplish, God is proud. If you help just one of his children, you have given God an amazing gift.

Where have you been feeling like your efforts aren’t making an impact? Ask God to give you influence for His kingdom. Do whatever He calls you to do. Then ask God to show you how you are helping at least one.

My favorite author, Jennie Allen, said something about how we measure success in book called Made For This: 40 Days to Living Your Purpose. She wrote:

Small or Big?

I can’t tell the difference between what the world thinks is big or small and what God thinks is big or small because it is the wrong question, and I rarely ask it anymore.

The only question to ask here is, “What am I supposed to do, God?” And then do it. Don’t analyze it; just do it.

...Small or big? It’s so relative. If we compare ourselves to others, what they are doing can shrink our important roles till they seem insignificant. Comparison robs us of the joy of obedience.

When you’re feeling small, know that the most inconspicuous tasks are usually building big things we can’t see yet.

Before writing this today I prayed that God would tell me what to say. I knew I wanted to write about That Starfish Story, but I wanted my words to be beautiful and compelling and important. How could I make my words good enough? I asked God to speak to me, and I waited in silence. He brought back to me something I had said before:

"Be you.

Reflect Him.

Don’t try so hard."

When I remember those words it takes the pressure off of me to try to be amazing and do amazing things. I just get to do what I can.

I am praying and believing with my whole heart that at least one person needed to read this post. And I know that’s enough.