Written by Dynamis Ministries | May 9, 2024
Do you ever question what kind of impact you can truly make in the world? You may look around and see people who are more skilled than you, have more resources than you or have more opportunities than you and wonder if the limited time, gifts or resources you possess can ever really make a difference? It’s so easy to doubt our impact when it appears that so many others are doing such bigger and greater things. The reality however is that we can make an impact in the world! No matter how little we may think we have to offer, we can use it to make a significant difference for the good. There are so many real-life examples of how this is true. If you don’t believe it, consider this one that may encourage you today:
Jadav Payeng grew up in a rural community on the largest river island in the world, located in the northeast region of India. As a boy he witnessed the environmental impact erosion had on the island, leaving the land barren and desolate. Moved by the sad realities that his homeland could not sustain life he set out to do something about it in the simplest way he could: plant trees. In 1979, at the age of 16, Jadav planted a tree sapling on the island’s desolate landscape and has continued this practice every single day for the past 40 years. In the four decades since he has been doing this, the island’s entire ecosystem has resurged. The island now contains a forest, nearly twice the size of Central Park in New York City, that has become the home for wildlife including elephants, rhinos and tigers. Animal species that have left the island decades earlier are now returning to their natural habitat. This revival of growth and life is all the result of one man who has faithfully planted tiny seeds into the ground every day for the last 40 years. It’s not wonder why today Jadav has been dubbed as “The Forest Man!”
Jadav’s work is an inspiring story on many levels, from the value of persistent work, to delayed gratification, to the importance of environmental stewardship, and even an example of the ripple effects we can create. However, this story is also a great analogy of how generosity works, and can encourage us that our simplest acts of generosity may create a bigger impact than we could ever imagine!
When Jadav planted his first tree he had no idea what would become of it all these years later. Likewise, when we live out a spirit of generosity in our lives we may never know what kind of seeds we are planting that will bear fruit down the road. Who knows, maybe a single act of service can become a catalyst for a new ministry idea, a small gift to a person in need may develop into a life-changing relationship or a simple of gesture of kindness could revive a person’s hope. The truth is, small acts do make a big difference. Sometimes we are able to see the impact quickly, but other times the impact may not be realized until several years later, when the seeds we’ve planted have had time to grow and bring forth new life. As we go forward today let’s not underestimate what kind of impact our smallest acts of generosity can create. Rather, let’s be faithful in planting seeds, no matter how small, and live with expectancy that they can grow into something far greater than we could ever imagine!
