Top o’ the Mornin’ to Ya!
This morning, my daughter Elizabeth encountered hundreds of little worms stranded on our driveway. Her heart broke for them and she immediately started trying to rescue them one by one, carefully moving them to the safety of the soil.
It reminded me of the classic story of the boy and the starfish. An old man saw a boy throwing beached starfish back into the ocean and asked what he was doing. “Saving them,” the boy replied. The man pointed out the miles of beach and countless starfish, saying “You can’t save them all. It doesn’t make a difference.” But the boy picked up another starfish, threw it into the surf, and said “It makes a difference for that one!”
This story perfectly illustrates the circles of awareness, concern, and influence we all navigate. The starfish in front of the boy was in his circle of awareness and concern, so he used his influence to make an impact. Just like Elizabeth with her worms.
As Christians, parents, and kingdom leaders, what “starfish” has God placed in front of us? Who is in our circle of awareness that we have the ability and responsibility to help? Sometimes we dream of changing the whole world, when our greatest impact starts with loving and serving our own family well.
Other times, our circle of influence may expand to our church, business, or community. Wherever we find ourselves, the key is to be attentive to the opportunities God gives us to bless others, even in seemingly small ways.
Of course, we can’t pour from an empty cup. It’s crucial to take care of ourselves spiritually, emotionally, and physically so that we have the capacity to love and serve from a place of abundance. Blessing ourselves enables us to bless others.
So take a moment to consider your circles of awareness, concern, and influence. At that intersection lies your unique power to change someone’s world. Don’t discount the impact you can have, one “starfish” at a time!
Use what God has given you to love courageously and tangibly right where you are. That’s how we expand the Kingdom and shine His light!
You be blessed!
Worms, Starfish and Impact: What are You Influencing?
