Challenge of the Sand Dollar

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”

                                                            Ecclesiastes 9:10

Have you ever sat in an airport or a baseball stadium watching all the people passing by you? I mean, imagine thousands and thousands of people walking past you and you wonder how you could ever meet them all.

The truth is that is impossible. There is a rule called the Dunbar principal. It states that in reality you can only really know 150 at a time. I think what they mean is to build close relationships.  You can't really know everyone.

I will tell you as a believer in Christ it is hard to hear that we have limitations. I mean aren't there those voices that tell you to do everything, be everywhere, and don't miss any opportunity to be into everything. Society pushes it but it's even an issue in the body of Christ. Sometimes, whether its internal or external, there is that drive to be involved in many good things with many good people.

When I feel a little guilty for not trying to save the world all by myself, I think about the boy and the sand dollars. Do you know that story? One day a man was walking on the seashore after a bad storm. He observed a little boy picking up live sand dollars and throwing them back into the sea. The problem was the sand was full of them. He told the boy that he would never save them all and all his effort didn't make a difference. The boy picked up a sand dollar and looked at it, then back to the man. He simply said, "It makes difference for this one."  He tossed it back to the sea and kept going.

We are not meant to do it all. The challenge of reaching out to people in life is not a one man or woman job. What we can do it what Gods puts in our path. It doesn't have to be a stressful thing to do good in this world. I really feel that it is our ever-present enemy who will use even good intentions against us. He tries to run us through with guilt.

While society is ramping up and wearing themselves out, we should take time to put worth and value in what we do. Consider pouring your life and encouragement into the ones the Lord has placed you among. Search out opportunities to show love to everyone but give your best to those few who you feel God has sent your way.

Remember, when you touch one life for eternity they in turn will reach others. Stop and help them back up with dignity so they will find in Christ. Because it will make a difference for this one, and this one, and this one...