One Drop At A Time
A Meditation by Rev. Cameron Trimble
“You are not required to save the world. But you are required to save your corner of it.” —Joan Chittister
A long time ago—so the Quechua elders say—the forest caught fire.
It spread quickly, flames leaping into the trees and thick smoke curling into the sky. The animals fled in every direction. Some ran. Others flew. A few froze in place, unsure what to do. Eventually, they gathered at the edge of the woods, watching as everything they knew and loved was consumed. They were helpless in the face of the destruction.
All except for one.
A tiny hummingbird flew to a nearby stream, picked up a single drop of water in its beak, and returned to release it over the fire. Then it turned back, flew again to the stream, gathered another drop, and returned. Over and over, the hummingbird made its journey.
The other animals watched in disbelief. They called out to the hummingbird, “What are you doing? You can’t stop the fire with just a few drops of water!”
The hummingbird paused in the air and replied, “I’m doing what I can.”
I first heard this story at the launch of the 2023 United Nations World Water Day Campaign.1
I’ve been thinking about this story lately. There is something quietly profound about the hummingbird’s choice. She didn’t wait until it had a better plan. She didn’t pause to calculate the odds of success. She didn’t look around for approval. She simply began.
Right now, many of us are standing at the edge of our own burning forests. We are watching the systems we trusted unravel. We see political institutions falter, environmental collapse accelerate, and communities torn apart by division, fear, and disinformation. The scope of suffering can feel overwhelming.
It’s tempting to believe we are too small to make a difference.
This story invites us to rethink what it means to respond in times of crisis. The hummingbird did not act because she believed her effort would be enough. She acted because integrity required her to do something.
It’s easy to become paralyzed by the scale of the world’s need. But we don’t have to fix everything to be faithful. We are each called to offer what we can—to take our drop of water and carry it toward the fire.
Your voice matters. Your effort matters. Your care matters.
Not because it will stop the fire on its own, but because the world is held together by people who refuse to stand by and watch it burn.
We are in this together,
Cameron
Reflection Questions
Where do you feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of injustice, loss, or crisis?
What is one concrete action you can take in response—one “drop” you can offer today?
How might this story help you reconnect to a sense of purpose, even when your impact feels small?
A Prayer for the Day
A Prayer for the Small but Steadfast
O Spirit of Small Things, Thank you for the hummingbirds. For the ones who don’t wait to be big or powerful, who don’t ask if it’s enough— but who simply do what they can, over and over again. When we are overwhelmed by the scale of the world’s grief, remind us that we are not called to do everything, but to do something. With love. With honesty. With care. Help us trust that our drop matters. That our presence matters. That our flight into the fire—again and again—is a kind of prayer. Amen.
Spiritual Practice
The Drop You Can Offer
Think of something today that feels manageable, real, and offered from your heart. It doesn’t need to be impressive. It doesn’t need to “work.”
Just let it be your drop.
Let that action be your yes to this moment. Let it remind you: you are not powerless. Whisper the words of the hummingbird to yourself as you go:
“I’m doing what I can.”
Upcoming Events That Might Be of Interest…
September 4, 4:30pm ET - I will be collaborating with the Anderson Forum for Progressive Theology to host a conversation with Thomas Jay Oord on Open and Relational theology. It’s a FREE event. Register here.
October 15-18, 2025 - Converging 2025: Sing Truth Conference (all musicians invited!) at Northwest Christian Church in Columbus, OH. Register here!
October 23, 30, November 6, 13, 2025, 7pm ET - In Search of a New Story: Reimagining What Comes Next, A 4-Part Online Series with Matthew Fox, Cameron Trimble, and Special Guests. We are living through the unraveling of many old stories—about who we are, why we’re here, and how we are meant to live together on this Earth. As these inherited narratives collapse under the weight of climate crisis, social fragmentation, and spiritual disconnection, the question becomes clear: What story will guide us now? REGISTRATION OPENING SOON!
I drafted a Strategic Framework for Congregations as we move into the coming years of increased authoritarianism around the world. If interested, you can download it here.
If you are a leader or member of a congregation looking for consulting support in visioning, planning, hiring or staffing, please consider Convergence.
https://www.un.org/en/delegate/tale-hummingbird-inspires-world-water-day-campaign
Love this!!!!!! Love your daily posts that integrate current events with spiritual nurture!!! Thank you Cameron!!!!
Sometimes, often times, I find the best thing I can do is to be still, to rest in our God’s Presence, to let the raging fires of fear within die down. Then I may be able to know what to “do”.