One Grain of Sand

By Mick Francis

So often, the decisions we make about what we will do, or how we will act, are influenced by the significance of the contemplated action. If we deem the proposed action or decision to be insignificant, or of little consequence then we may decide not to follow through on that decision or action. If we decide that something is insignificant, then we feel that it will have no effect on “the big picture” or will not be noticed by others. An example of something that I think we would agree is insignificant would be having a helicopter lower one of us down almost to the surface in the middle of the Sahara Desert. Suppose, while you or I were dangling there we took a pair of tweezers and picked up one tiny grain of sand and moved it a fraction of an inch. Then we were raised back up into the helicopter and flew away. The act of moving that grain of sand would be extremely insignificant, right? If we look at that action with a narrow perspective, then we would agree.


Now, if I said to you that I was going to fly to the Sahara Desert and while there, I was going to do something that would forever change the face of that great barren region: that would sound a lot more impressive. It is hard to imagine that one single person could act in such a way as to effect a permanent change in a landscape that stretches for 3.5 million square miles. But that is EXACTLY what happened in the first example. Just by moving one grain of sand, the Sahara Desert's appearance has been forever changed. And it only took one action by one person to do it.

You see, whether an action is significant or insignificant depends on how you look at it. Many actions can be conveniently dismissed by considering them as not making a significant difference. Think for a moment about our financial situation here at St. Paul’s. Let’s compare the debt to the Sahara Desert. Can you see the similarities? The debt seems to go on and on. It is hard to see the end of it. We all want to do something about it, and many of us are doing significant things to help get rid of it. But folks, we have here a way that EVERYONE can help. I know you have heard of it. Many of you have already done it. But not enough of us have believed in its significance. I heard it said to the congregation that if everyone in the congregation used the Fundscrip Program to purchase cash cards for places they already shop, that we could eliminate our debt. Sounds like a pretty easy solution to me. It doesn't cost any of us a cent. It doesn't require half a day or a whole day or more of volunteering to get it done. It doesn't require going anywhere you don't normally go. All it requires is the belief that we can effect a permanent change in our church debt by moving a grain of sand. Now that's significant!