A young girl was walking along a beach upon which thousands of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm. When she came to each starfish, she would pick it up, and throw it back into the ocean. People watched her with amusement.
She had been doing this for some time when a man approached her and said, “Little girl, why are you doing this? Look at this beach! You can’t save all these starfish. You can’t begin to make a difference!”
The girl seemed crushed, suddenly deflated. But after a few moments, she bent down, picked up another starfish, and hurled it as far as she could into the ocean. Then she looked up at the man and replied, “Well, I made a difference to that one!”
The old man looked at the girl inquisitively and thought about what she had done and said. Inspired, he joined the little girl in throwing starfish back into the sea. Soon others joined, and all the starfish were saved.
The Star Thrower by Loren C. Eiseley
When I was a little girl I wanted to be a dancer. Later I believed I needed to be a singer or supermodel to be loved. And somewhere along the road I wanted to be a fearless karate ninja girl, who kicks the bad guys butts. I still want to be a courageous warrior, but this time I want to leave footprints of red sparkle for Jesus. I want to be like the starfish girl!
I get it, people don’t understand why I do what I do. Why would I want to give up my whole life and chase God on the World Race? Why would I want to travel to countries struck by poverty and hopelessness only to find out that I have zero impact? Why do I think that I can change the world?
The answer is simple. I just can´t help myself! I am transformed and my whole view of the world has changed. I am not better, holier or smarter that anyone. I am not trying to impress others or find myself in the process. This is not another way of finding fulfillment in life. Jesus is not a self help guru and I am not trying to love myself more to find peace. I just can`t do anything about it. I am wrecked for life. Jesus has wrecked me!
I read more than countless books on sex-trafficking and girls that are being sold like cattle. I have heard about orphans who fall into victims of traffickers who use their vulnerability and get blood money for their prey. I have seen women, destroyed by drugs, selling their bodies in the streets of Chicago. I sometimes hear their cries and see their tears streaming down their faces, reaching , crying out to someone who rescues them. How Am I supposed to live a comfy life of suburbia when human beings are in daily hell. Don´t they have a right to live in freedom? What makes my life any more valuable than theirs?
”Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
The World Race can’t change the world. I can´t change the world. That will always be Gods job. But I can change one life, give hope to one person, love people like Jesus does. I can do my part in leaving a little sparkle in someone´s life. Just like the starfish girl I can either listen to peoples opinions and feel defeated or I can listen to the Truth and slay the giant. I have the choice to either rest in Gods grace or to actually be Gods grace.
We all play our part in this world. I refuse to not do my part in changing lives. I am sick of low living and selfish thinking. I am sick of hearing that I can´t do anything about the evil in this world. I know that I follow Mr. Courageous himself and He is the number one starfish savior.
”Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold, the new has come.” 2Corinthians 5:17
Love
Jen
