The Ocean
Pastor Jason There’s a story about Starfish that speaks about how a single person can make a difference in the world and about how even the smallest act makes a difference for someone. You have probably heard this story before, but let me remind you:
One day, an old man was walking along a beach that was littered with thousands of starfish that had been washed ashore by the high tide. As he walked he came upon a young boy who was eagerly throwing the starfish back into the ocean, one by one.
Puzzled, the man looked at the boy and asked what he was doing. Without looking up from his task, the boy simply replied, “I’m saving these starfish, Sir”.
The old man chuckled aloud, “Son, there are thousands of starfish and only one of you. What difference can you make?”
The boy picked up a starfish, gently tossed it into the water and turning to the man, said, “I made a difference to that one!”
This is a beautiful and inspiring story. Perhaps you have heard it used in sermons or motivational speeches. If you are like me, it has probably given you strength and comfort when you have felt burned out from volunteering or helping others. This story reminds us that every compassionate action we take has meaning and purpose in our world, that everything we do matters to someone.
I love it! And I also realize this story is an example of what we talked about this past Sunday morning. (If you missed Sunday, catch up by listening to Mission: What if we are just fixing fish?) On Sunday I asked you to consider how mission and ministry usually begins and end with fixing fish (or saving starfish!). In charitable endeavors, folks save a single starfish from certain death by throwing them back into an ocean that will simple wash them back onto the shore again…and again…and again. When does charity begin to examine the ocean? Why are the starfish washing up on the shore by the thousands? Is something out of whack in the ocean causing these starfish to wash up? What would it take to stop these starfish from washing up on the shore to begin with?
Why don’t we ask these kinds of questions?
Are we content to feel good about our efforts to save a few starfish along our morning walk on the beach? What if we are just fixing fish? And what if our fish fixing is more about our own sense of doing good in the world than it is about the fish who are washing up dead on the shore by the thousands every day? What if there are more starfish washing up on the shore every day than we can ever hope to throw back into the water in a lifetime?
Now I don’t say any of this to dampen the spirit of the Starfish story. One act of compassion, however simple or small, does make a difference! To that I say Amen! I also say this:
There’s more to mission, compassion, charity and making a difference than throwing starfish back in the ocean!
You see, the Starfish story is limited in its perspective. It assumes that making a difference means throwing the starfish back into the ocean. It never examines the ocean. It never considers why the starfish ended up on the shore. The story does not look at the full picture.
The truth is that we will never solve the problem of starfish on the shore by throwing starfish back into the ocean. And the same is true for most every major social problem in our world today…homelessness, drug abuse, violence, crime, mass shootings, and the list could go on and on. We must stop trying to tackle the issues of our day with such limited perspectives. We must stop fighting over solutions assuming that one solution is right and the others are wrong. We must stop our either-or thinking. We must widen our view to pay attention both to the starfish and to the ocean!
The truth is, we need to compassionately help people who are struggling AND we need to change the toxic environment that is causing and contributing to their struggle. That is,we need to throw as many starfish back into the ocean today AND we need to examine the ocean to find a way to stop the starfish from washing ashore tomorrow.
If You Missed Sunday’s Sermon…
Read or listen to Mission: What if We are Just Fixing Fish?
Purchase an Easter Lily
Help bring life to our sanctuary for Easter with Easter lilies. The cost of each lily is $7.00. Please email or contact the church office if you would like to place a lily in honor or memory of someone.
This Week at Hood
Tuesday, March 13th, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm – Serve at the DUMA food pantry;
Wednesday, March 14th, 3:30 pm – Prayer & Inspiration
Wednesday, March 14th, 6:00 pm — Love Wins: Children’s Mission Projects; Backpack Buddies
Wednesday, March 14th, 6:00 pm – Choir
Wednesday, March 14th, 6:00 pm – “Young-ish” Small group
Thursday, March 15th, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Pastor Jason at The Cellar for Drop-In Coffee & Conversation (108 N Wilson St)
Sunday, March 18th, 11:00 am – Worship – Mission: What if there’s more?
Upcoming Events
Monday, March 19th, 7:00 pm – DWM (working) meeting in Fellowship Hall
Saturday, March 24th – Rise Against Hunger; childcare or packing food bags
Sunday, March 25th – Fellowship Lunch/Fundraiser: Baked Potato Bar