by Mary Hammond, Plain Truth Editor
I thought you may appreciate an amusing – but profound – story about four people named ‘Everybody’, ‘Somebody’, ‘Anybody’ and ‘Nobody’.
You see, there was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got upset about that, because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.
Ok, we may laugh at this tale, but isn’t life sometimes a little like that?
We can all be great at recognising the importance of a task, and give ‘oh, such good advice’ on how it should be done. But when the opportunity for the ‘doing’ comes along, we look the other way or find a jolly good reason why it can’t possibly be our responsibility. Then, when things go wrong, or are left undone, we give profound, retrospective advice, point the finger of blame on ‘Anybody’, ‘Everybody’ – but ourselves.
Edmund Burke1 once said, ‘All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing’.
In some sermon notes I read on the internet, the author suggested that this non-involvement was often where perhaps it should be least expected. Amongst churches and Christians. The author2 wrote:
Too many churches and Christians do nothing. They are standing idly by. They are mere spectators, sitting on the sidelines instead of actively participating in the good work.
If good wins, they join in the celebration, though they did nothing to produce the victory. If evil wins, they complain long and loud, though their own apathy produced the undesirable result.
So, is the author of these comments from his sermon suggesting that ‘religion’ can sometimes get in the way of helping others – with those used to sitting in the pews, feeling more comfortable sitting on the benches on the sidelines, rather than getting up and joining in the match? Surely not…
Everybody needs good neighbours
When we look at the current global problems as well as those affecting our nation, its people – or closer to home, our neighbourhoods and families – there’s a never-ending list of opportunities for work that needs to be done. ‘Everybody’ needs good neighbours – and ‘Anyone’ can be a good neighbour.
Ok, I’d agree that lots of those tasks are the responsibilities of government, local authorities or the police services. But I would suggest that there’s still a huge scope for the majority of us to become involved in some way in order to benefit our families, neighbourhoods and beyond. But that, of course, means a commitment of time. And for some, that also means stepping outside their comfort zone and exchanging their ‘observer’ role for that of ‘participant’.
In this Summer issue of The Plain Truth, we look at differing ways of expressing ‘love to neighbour’. In ways such as the giving of our time (Life’s most precious gift page XXX) which shows how this free gift is both priceless and precious to the recipient.
All of us have – or will – come into contact with someone who has been bereaved, or lost a loved one themselves. Often a time in our lives when knowing what to do or say to the bereaved will perhaps take us out of our comfort zone – when avoidance is easy and often the chosen route. A situation that ‘Nobody’ likes to face, but ‘Somebody’ needs to give help and support to those when they need it the most. The topic of bereavement is covered compassionately yet practically by ‘Somebody’ who gives freely of his time to support the bereaved. You can find how Derek Dobson has helped many in Restoring hope on page xx of this issue.
As well as expressing our ‘love to neighbour’, we also look at how we can express our love to God. In his article on page 8, John Halford discusses how if we are happy, that we should be showing that joy within. A sentiment echoed by Fiona Veitch Smith in her article Goodness and kindness, which explores how our outward acts are motivated by an inward commitment.
Confronted with an opportunity for service, helping others, serving in our communities or an important job to be done – what is our reaction?
Here at The Plain Truth, we acknowledge the fact that there is an important job to be done by ‘Somebody’, in keeping the Christian message alive and relevant within our nation today. And although a small player in the game – nevertheless, a participant doing the very best with our resources. And not sitting on the sidelines.
1. Anglo-Irish statesman, author, orator, political theorist, and philosopher, 1729 –1797.
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