The bible teaches the importance of feeding the hungry and providing for the orphan and the widow. Unfortunately, with an estimated 925 million people undernourished in the world today, among other problems, many times we allow ourselves to get overwhelmed with such huge global epidemics. Instead of getting discouraged with all the calamities that strike millions of people daily, we need to focus on where we can make a difference.
Matthew 25:35-40
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
35 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, 36 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.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
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.’
Jesus made it very practical for us. We can all make a difference in someone’s life by helping them in tangible ways, such as the ones in the verses above.
The story below vividly illustrates two different perspectives we can have when facing the needs in our world today:
A man was on vacation on the beach in Mexico and a tide had stranded thousands and thousands of starfish high on the beach away from the shore. This man noticed a boy walking along the beach, picking one starfish up at a time and carefully placing it back in the ocean. The man walked up to him and said, “what do you think you are doing? There are thousands of starfish stranded. You don’t think you can really make a difference, do you?” The boy then proceeded to pick up another starfish and again walked back to the shore and placed it in the water. The boy then turned back to the man and said “I bet it made a difference for that one”.
Just like this boy, we all can make a difference in the life of one person. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to guide us to be a blessing in someone’s life this week.