Some oyster fishermen off New England learned an important lesson. They discovered that their oyster beds had become infested with starfish. The fishermen cut up the starfish they caught and threw them overboard. Much to their dismay, rather than destroying them they were actually helping them multiply.

The truth is, if one of the arms of a starfish is severed, a new one will grow in its place. In fact, if a starfish is cut up, any piece that contains a part of the central disc will develop into a new starfish.

For centuries, Christians have been hated and viciously opposed in many nations. But persecution has not destroyed Christianity. Even under the most dire circumstances, it has not only survived but thrived. Jesus said of His church that “the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).

If anything divides us, let’s multiply!

Tags: evangelism, persecution, starfish