There’s a little story that gets passed around about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.You’ve probably heard it before. There was a job to be done. Everybody thought Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. In the end, Everybody got mad at Somebody because Nobody did what Anybody could have done.
We laugh at it because it’s clever. But we also feel the sting of truth in it.
This plays out in the church. This plays out in families. This plays out in communities. When Everybody assumes Somebody else will give, serve, lead, or sacrifice… Nobody does. Or worse, the same Somebody does everything until they collapse from burnout. And then, truly, there is Nobody.
The Bible never calls the church to be a crowd of consumers, waiting for someone else to do the work. Scripture is clear:
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27)
Not just pastors. Not just the most energetic or the most outgoing. Not just the people with fewer kids at home or more money in their pocket. Each one of you is a part of it.
The early church turned the world upside down because every believer took responsibility for being the body of Christ. They prayed. They gave. They served. They risked. They spoke the gospel boldly. They didn’t look at one another saying, “Somebody else will do it.” They looked at the cross and said, “Here am I, Lord. Send me.”
Friend, don’t wait for “somebody else.” You are that somebody.
If there’s a need in the church—don’t assume it will magically get filled. If there’s a hurting neighbor—don’t assume someone else will show up. If there’s a meal to make, a child to disciple, a mission to fund, a hand to lend—step forward. Do what anybody could do, but few are willing to.
Jesus didn’t sit back waiting for “somebody else” to go to the cross. He became the Somebody for Everybody so that Nobody would be left out of His kingdom.
Now He calls us to follow His example.
It’s not somebody else’s job. It’s ours. It’s yours.