This little film struck a chord in me. Caught up in our comfortable lives, it becomes so easy to forget about the poor and less fortunate in our communities and all around our region.
I realise i take it for granted that i never have to worry about food or shelter, when about 25,000 people die every day of hunger or hunger-related causes.
A vivid picture of a place i once visited comes to mind. Huts without doors, insufficient electricity, barefooted children and poorly ventilated classrooms that have never been cleaned. I remember thinking to myself, Singapore is just VERY privileged and blessed.
Matthew 25: 35-36 "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
Matthew 24:40 The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Will we break the boundaries of comfort and go the extra mile when it calls for us? Hmm.
My cell leader shared the starfish story with us yesterday, and though i've heard it a dozen times, it seemed to make greater sense to what i have been thinking about lately.
The Starfish Story---adapted from The Star Thrower
by Loren Eiseley (1907 - 1977)
Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.
One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.
As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.
He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"
The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."
"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.
To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."
Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"
At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one."
Learning to lay all my ideals down and let change start with myself. Even if my hands can only do this much, it's still worth it because a little bit goes a long way wherever i am. Seek the right approval! (Gal 1:10)
Every baby step makes a difference!
The Starfish Story---adapted from The Star Thrower
by Loren Eiseley (1907 - 1977)
Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.
One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.
As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.
He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"
The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."
"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.
To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."
Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"
At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one."
Learning to lay all my ideals down and let change start with myself. Even if my hands can only do this much, it's still worth it because a little bit goes a long way wherever i am. Seek the right approval! (Gal 1:10)
Every baby step makes a difference!
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