Nobody's Job

Have you ever heard the story about Nobody's Job?

Like eveybody, I could have married anybody. Somebody would love me. I was a nobody. My mom was a nobody. My dad was a nobody. I married a nobody.  

I know this makes me sound crazy. I know I married a nobody because the children's area of our church -- he's the children's pastor--it's a disaster zone. No really, it is a mess. Last Sunday he forgot to make sure a toilet wasn't running.  He isn't a plumber, he isn't the facility manager, it was just a problem he noticed and checking it became an item on his "to do" list. He did it because it needed done.  

What happens when Nobody doesn't do the job? 

 In this particular case--The toilet ran a marathon and a professional clean up crew was called in to remove the water.  

One week later--fans are running, flooring is missing, and the contents of 2 classrooms, two storage  rooms, and an office are scattered in heaping piles.  

Everybody knows about the toilet. Somebody flushed it. Anybody could have checked it. Nobody (my nobody) forgot to check it--and the job didn't get done.

Now my nobody is trying to adjust the planning of our children's area and routine-to lessen the stress of the mess on Everybody.  He feels guilty he forgot to check, frustrated that anybody could have fixed it, but somebody didn't. And he's pretty sure that when it is time to put the rooms back together Everybody is going assume Somebody will help him, Anybody could help him, but Nobody will be the only one who shows up.

As Christians we are called to be the body of Christ. All the leaders in churches that I know personally feel like a nobody.  They would love help from somebody, anybody. But honestly from what I have heard over and over from all of them is that they feel excluded by Everybody.  

When you are a nobody working like crazy to make sure Everybody has what they need--what you need is somebody, anybody to say "hey don't forget about nobody!" You need to feel like people care about you as much as you are caring about them. You need to feel like you are still a part of the Body. You are used to being busy, so joining conversations, or trying to catch someone before they leave feels like you are interrupting or intruding on their plans. Soon you find yourself sitting alone at events because your job is done, but everybody got used to doing things without you. They assume you are busy so they stop inviting you. Suddenly you findself trying to help a group of people you feel disconnected from, which isn't good for anybody who is part of the Body.

Who are you in this story of the Church? Are you Everybody who is supposed to be helping get the job done? Maybe you are a Somebody who feels you have done your part. You could be an Anybody who assumes the task will be completed by another. Maybe just maybe you are a fellow nobody praying that anybody decides to be the somebody that makes sure nobody feels left behind.

My challenge to you is to think of all the "nobody's" you barely see because they are always so busy and CONNECT with them. Ask them how they are doing. Ask them if they need help-BUT only if you are willing to help. Invite them to relax and have fun with you. Send them a note or token of your appreciation.