Written by: Rob Rogers
february 1, 2024
“ARE NOT TWO SPARROWS SOLD FOR A PENNY? YET NOT ONE OF THEM WILL FALL TO THE GROUND OUTSIDE YOUR FATHER’S CARE. AND EVEN THE VERY HAIRS OF YOUR HEAD ARE ALL NUMBERED. SO DON’T BE AFRAID; YOU ARE WORTH MORE THAN MANY SPARROWS.”
Matthew 10:29-31
I am reminded that there are so many people in our world—some young, some old—who are dealing with difficult situations. Situations that feel overwhelming… and at times hopeless. People living in poverty, and all the suffering that goes with that. People who are struggling with addictions that won’t let them go. People with broken bodies and minds. There is need all around us.
I am also reminded that there are many people who pass through this world without giving those in need a second thought. And if they do give them a second thought, it involves scorn, contempt, ridicule. Some would even go so far as to say that what we are doing here at VOA Southeast is a waste of time and resources.
VOA Southeast serves over 30,000 people each year. We come alongside and help them find a way out of their hopelessness and despair. In many cases, we are successful… life becomes worth living and the individual begins to see possibilities. For everyone we help, there are hundreds… even thousands more behind them who could use and benefit from our help.
Do you remember the story of the boy, the old man, and the starfish?
An old man was walking along the beach one day. As he walked, he saw a boy standing near the water. He was picking things up and throwing them into the ocean. The old man watched for a little while. Then he walked over to the boy and realized he was picking up starfish and throwing them into the outgoing tide. “What are you doing?” the old man asked. The boy replied, “These starfish are going to die unless I get them back into the water while there is time.” The man laughed and said, “What you are doing is pointless! There are too many starfish to even count. What you are doing isn’t making any difference.” The boy said, “It made a difference to the one I just threw back into the water.”
We cannot help everyone. But every day working together, we are making a difference in many lives… one at a time.