A man walking on the beach came upon another man who, for some odd reason, was picking up the starfish that had washed ashore, one by one, and tossing them back into the ocean. The man pondered this for a moment as he saw the hundreds of starfish lying on the beach. He asked the other man, “What’s the point? You will never be able to save them all?”
The other man knelt down, picked up a starfish and tossed it in the ocean. He then said, “No, but I bet that one doesn’t feel that way.”
I used to counsel for a pregnancy center and sometimes would get a phone call from a desperate woman asking for an abortion. Once she discovered the agency didn’t refer for such, I usually never heard from her again. When the moments came that I questioned the point of it all, God always offered a gentle reminder, “because of one.” There is at least one child who “doesn’t feel that way,” because her mother chose life.
I was reminded of that on August 8th, 2009. On August 6, 2009, 31 people from Word of Life Church, went to New York City on a mission trip. This group of precious young adults, a really cool pastor, some great leaders, and three brave drivers, gave up their time, money, and on some nights, sleep, in order to testify to the goodness of God through testimonies and skits. I was fortunate enough to be a part of this wonderful experience, giving my testimony in Battery Park.
Much like the mission trip last year, we shared some laughs, some tears, had a couple bumps in the road, and came home at least slightly different, if not extremely. However, there was one unsettling difference from last year to this. The general public was not as receiving of the message, and in some cases, hostile, even using loud profanity. And although many were touched, some in tears, by what we were offering, many were otherwise angered. And there were some who went on reading there magazine or talking to their friend, as if we weren’t even there.
I pondered on this. Why are people less accepting of the message of salvation? What factors are different this year from last? I asked one gentlemen, seemingly unbothered or moved by our presentation, what his thoughts on it were. “I just don’t believe in God,” he said. I engaged him in a lengthy conversation and concluded that religion itself had driven him to his decision. As I walked away, I turned to see a family, a mom, dad, and two girls, watching the performance. I nodded and they stopped me and said, “Be encouraged, He is still alive.” or something to that effect. I smiled, talked with them for a moment and went on, still noticing the aloofness of most of the crowd. When we were done, some cheered and clapped, but most went along their merry way as if it were just another day in New York City.
Disappointment swept through me. “God,” I wondered, “Why has your creation forgotten you?”
I looked up and saw several members of our group praying with a man, tears streaming down his face. He was obviously what many would consider a wretch. Homeless and dirty, reeking of alcohol. My eyes brimmed with tears as I remembered why it was that we came. Not for “show and tell,” but, because of one. We were sent to love the unlovely when no one else will.
When you think your efforts are fruitless, that you aren’t really doing any good to the furthering of the kingdom of God, remember, just like the starfish washed upon the shore, just like the mother choosing life, and just like one man from New York City, the journey is worth it! All because of one.
“What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying? If it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones.”
