Everyone wants to make a difference in this life. Yet, amazingly, we pass up so many opportunities that come our way to do so.
The following sermon illustration is so good—and has been used so often—it is hard to imagine that some pastors out there have never heard or never used this illustration in one of their sermons. But, I bet a lot of you need to be reminded of this one again. It is that good!
A man, walking on a beach, early one morning, was surprised to see countless starfish washed ashore during high tide. Some were still alive. He wished there was something he could do, but there were too many for him to save.
He walked on and saw a little boy scooping up starfish and throwing them into the ocean, trying to save them.
The man felt compassion for the boy who was working so hard. He walked up to the boy and said, “Son, what you are doing is wonderful, but there are so many and you can’t save all of them. Why don’t you go and play? You can’t really make a difference here.”
The boy looked up at the man, picked up another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. Then, the boy said, “Well, I just made all the difference in the world for that one.”
(Adapted from The Star Thrower by Loren Eiseley)
We can’t do everything needed to change the world. We can’t even do all the things we want to do to change the world. But, we can do something! We can reach out and touch the lives of others through a home exchange.
Our family’s first home exchange made all the difference in the world for our family. And, looking back at that experience 26 years later, we have heard from numerous others that our home exchange made a big difference in the lives of others.
You may never know how many lives you touch, how many lives are changed, because you did a home exchange—and you did it as a Christian. But, our advice is to forget about all that.
For now, keep your eyes focused on those nearest and dearest to you—your spouse, your children or grandchildren, a special friend. Do a home exchange—and bring someone else with you. Or do a home exchange—and let others know what an incredible experience it was.
So much happens, not because we try to push away the darkness. So much happens because we light a candle and lift it up for others to see.
Photo: Starfish by Peter Dutton is licensed under CC by 2.0.
