With more than 340 million of the 8.1 billion people in the world, the United States sits securely as the third most populous country, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
India and China hold the first two spots, respectively, at nearly 1.42 billion and 1.41 billion. Indonesia is the next closest to the U.S. with nearly 284 million people.
Why do I mention these numbers? Primarily as a reminder of the sheer volume of humans attempting to inhabit this little planet called Earth.
Think about all the different languages, religions, socio-economic statuses and countless preferences and needs that already exist — and how many more are possible.
As medical advancements continue expanding our life expectancies, then the reality is this world will only get more and more crowded.
Are we preparing ourselves and those who come behind us for the opportunities a cramped world will bring?
Along with the strains on resources, limited personal space and likely increased levels of anxiety come incredible opportunities to love people and point them to Jesus.
It will require some give and take and lots of flexibility for sure.
Living in super close quarters means we all will experience the best and worst of each other on any given day.
If we all work hard to contribute toward the greater good, have at least one area in life where we are solid and reliable, keep our eyes on Jesus and always err on the side of grace, then I think we can make it.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve enjoyed a lifetime of striving for the American Dream — the idea that through hard work, determination and opportunity any of us can reach our full potential.
I’ve also appreciated opportunities to help others along the way, much like how those ahead of me on the journey reached out a hand to pull me along or teach me what I needed to know.
But what does striving and achieving in life look like going forward?
And what do our attempts of seeking to be more like Jesus mean in a future of so many unknowns?
How do we navigate making our own way while not stepping on others — or leaving them behind — in the process? Is it even possible?
A friend said to me recently, “You can’t save everybody, Jennifer,” and while that’s true, I still prefer to hold on to another friend’s reminder about the starfish story.
Adapted from educator Loren Eiseley’s 1969 essay “The Star Thrower,” the starfish story is about a little girl who found a large number of starfish washed up on the shore one morning.
Making a difference
As she hurriedly picked up one starfish at a time and tossed them back in the ocean (attempting to save them before they suffocated), an older gentleman walked up and asked why she would even try.
“You can’t possibly make a difference,” he said.
Undeterred, the little girl picked up the next starfish, slung it far into the water, looked back and said to the man, “It made a difference for that one.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Jennifer Davis Rash, president and editor-in-chief of TAB Media Group. This editorial will appear in the Feb. 27 edition of The Baptist Paper. Click here to subscribe.
