From my devotional today:

There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:10

Some days it's hard just to get out of bed. Our motivation is fading or completely gone. We are overcome with a "What difference does it make?" attitude. We become overwhelmed at the enormity of the duties before us.  Our talents and resources seem miniscule in comparison to the task.

A businessman and his wife once took a much needed getaway at an oceanside hotel. During their stay a powerful storm arose, lashing the beach and sending massive breakers against the shore.  The storm woke the man. He lay still in bed listening to the storm's fury and reflecting on his own life of constant and continual demands and pressures.

Before daybreak the wind subsided. The man got out of bed to go outside and survey the damage done by the storm. He walked along the beach and noticed it was covered with starfish that had been thrown ashore by the massive waves. They laid helpless on the sandy beach. Unable to get to the water, the starfish faced inevitable death as the sun's rays dried them out.

Down the beach a ways the man saw a figure walking along the shore. The figure would stoop and picke something up. In the dim of the early-morning light he couldn't quite make it all out. As he approached he realized it was a young boy picking up the starfish one at a time and flinging them back into the ocean to safety.

As the man neared the boy he asked,"Why are you doing that? One person will never make a difference - there are too many starfish to get back into the water before the sun comes up." 

The boy said sadly, "Yest, that's true," and then bent to pick up another starfish. Then he said, "But I can sure make a difference to that one."

God never intended for an individual to solve all of life's problems. But He did intend for each one of us to use whatever resources and gifts He gave us to make a difference where we are.