The starfish thrower ~ Mark Balmer

Based on “Under HIS Influence – Yes, Lord” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 10/3-4/09,
Message# MB391; Daily Devotional #4 - “The Starfish Thrower”

Preparing the Soil (Introduction): While listening to Pastor Mark’s latest teaching in the “Under HIS Influence” series, I am reminded of a touching story I read, “The Star Thrower” by Loren Eisley. The story begins with a writer who walks along the beach each morning for inspiration. He comes upon a young man who is casting starfish into the water. When the writer asks the young man why he is undertaking such a task, he replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die." The writer responds, “But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!" As the young man bent over, picked up another starfish, and tossed it into the ocean, he replied, “It made a difference to that one.” Many interpret the story as one of man’s self-sacrifice for other men, while others interpret it as man’s self-sacrifice for nature. No matter how the story is interpreted, it is most often perceived as a heartwarming story. It is possible that since we are wired to seek God, whether we acknowledge it or not, we innately see this as a story of God’s value and love for each and every one of us.


Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): The starfish in the story were subject to the tides and the elements. Prior to being washed up on shore, they are tossed about aimlessly. Prior to our acceptance of Jesus Christ, with no purpose or value to our lives, we found ourselves to be subject to whatever life event had our attention. Our lives were full of deception, and our joy was short-lived. Eventually the starfish in the story were cast onto the shore where they were left to die, incapable of saving themselves. Some of their lives were saved by the grace of the Star Thrower. As Christ Followers, we too at some point recognized our helplessness and inability to save ourselves. We recognized our need for our Savior, Jesus Christ. The Star Thrower in the story values each and every starfish and attempts to undertake the seemingly hopeless task of throwing them all back into the ocean. Likewise, Jesus undertook the burden of carrying the sin of the entire world on His shoulders (1 Peter 2:24). Just as the Star Thrower attempts to throw each and every starfish back into the ocean where they may have life, God has shown His love for each of us and has revealed to us through his Word His wish that not one of us perish (2 Peter 3:9).


Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): There is one question remaining. While describing the starfish he was throwing back into the sea, the original version included the line, “The stars throw well, one can help them.” To serve God’s purpose for us and have truly fulfilling lives we must be willing to be moved and shaped by God that we may “throw well.” In order to do this, we must be willing to hear God’s voice and be willing to say, “Yes,” when He calls us to do His work. We must be willing to be reshaped into new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). Will you lie in the immoveable forces of the sun and sand to slowly fade away, or will you “throw well” into eternal life?

Cultivating (Additional Reading): Ephesians 2:1-10