You Are Somebody!

Have you ever found yourself thinking or saying that somebody should do something about a particular situation? Someone should visit the shut-ins. Someone should see to that church member in the hospital. Someone should donate to that ministry. Someone should send a card to that lonely widow. Someone should organize the paperwork. We see the need. It’s quite evident, and we wonder why everyone else can’t see it as well? Why isn’t someone doing something about all these issues?

Perhaps others are aware of the situations, but their thoughts and attitudes are the same as ours: somebody should. I think it’s about time we realize that we are all somebodies. Instead of complaining about what other people aren’t doing, it would be better if we got busy doing things ourselves. Is it right for us to see a need and pass the responsibility of fulfilling that need to someone else if we are capable of doing it ourselves? I don’t think so, and the Bible agrees with me.

Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. - Proverbs 3:27

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. - Philippians 2:4

 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another. . .Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. - Romans 12:10,13

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. - Romans 15:1-2

 I could go on. The Bible has a lot to say about doing for others, but if you’ll notice the wording, each time the passages are very specific about to whom it is speaking. They are speaking to all of us. You withhold not good. Let every man look to the things of others. You distribute to the saints. Let everyone please his neighbor. Not just someone, but everyone. When it comes to fulfilling these commands in the Bible, we will all be held accountable.

Keep in mind that there are many ways to give and help others. Yes, it may be a financial need that someone has, but perhaps they’re simply lonely and need some company. Or maybe that single mom needs someone to watch her children for the evening so she can have some quiet time to herself. Perhaps that young child just needs a good role model, someone who cares for him and will teach him right from wrong. We can all give of our time and talents,  and most of us could even give of our finances if we were truly honest. But too often, we don’t. We see the need and want the need to be met, yet we are unwilling to step up and be the someone to meet the need. And, unfortunately, with most of us having the same attitude, the somebody quickly turns into nobody, and the needs go unmet.

I’m reminded of the story of a little girl who was walking along the beach with her mother. As they came to a particular section of beach, the girl noticed hundreds of starfish washed up on the sands. Knowing the fate of those starfish on the land, the little girl began to pick them up one by one and toss them into the ocean. The mother watched the girl for a moment and then looked across the beach at the hundreds of starfish still scattered on the shore. She spoke to the little girl and said, “I know you want to help, sweetie, but I’m afraid you just won’t be able to make a difference.” As the little girl tossed another starfish into the ocean, she turned to her mother, smiled, and said, “I made a difference for that one.” That, my friends, is the attitude we should have. No, we can’t save the world, and we don’t have it within us to help everyone, but we could help someone. Instead of passing the buck on to our fellow man, it’s time for each of us to stand up and say, “I am somebody, and today I choose to make a difference!”