From small beginnings

Most of the initiatives that have had global impact have started small.

Oxfam started as one small charity shop in Broad Street, Oxford, in 1948. Today, it has 730 outlets across the UK, staffed by more than 20,000 volunteers, who help raise around £20 million annual profit.

The Missionaries of Charity started with two nuns and a priest in the back streets of Calcutta in 1950. It now works across the world.

The first Starbucks opened in Seattle in 1971. At the time of writing it has 6,000 coffee shops in 30 countries.

It may appear on the surface that our efforts at engagement are too small to be effective. We feel so overwhelmed by the need that we’re tempted to give up before we’ve even begun. Have you ever wondered how many potential world-changing movements died in the minds of those who thought the attempt too puny to start?

What we do may seem small and insignificant right now - but you never know where it may end up. One thing is certain - if we never start, it will never accomplish anything.

Mother Theresa loved the starfish story. A man was walking on the cliff tops when he spotted what looked like a ballerina dancing near the sea. So fascinated was he by her dance that he decided to get closer.

When he reached the sand he saw thousands of starfish had been washed up on the shore. The young woman was picking them up, one at a time, and throwing them back. Surveying the extent of the task, he saw its utter futility. Even if the two of them worked together, they stood no chance of throwing a fraction of the starfish back.

He shouted to the girl to stop. “What are you doing? There are thousands of starfish. You can't possibly make a difference!”

The girl joyfully picked up another starfish and threw it back into the water. “I made a difference to that one,” she replied.

What is true for her is true for us. We may not be able to meet every need or support every cause. But we can make a difference to those that come across our path.

The key question is - will we?

Last Updated 03 October 2008