"Someone's Somebody Else"

 

“Someone’s ‘Somebody Else’”

 

A grandmother I knew was told that her grandson was considering enlisting in the military. When she objected to her son about this he said he was proud that his son wanted to protect our nation. Her reply: “Let somebody else do it!” When I heard about this I thought of Moses who, when God called him to lead Israel from bondage in Egypt, responded, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” (Exodus 4:13). So this lady’s reaction wasn’t new in the annals of human history.

A long-time friend has a grandson with severe autism. Rather than wait for the “professionals” to develop a program to help their boy his parents took it upon themselves to research his condition and are in the process of creating a course of action to serve the needs of children afflicted with this malady. When I learned of the couple’s response Isaiah’s answer to God’s summons to service came to mind: “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8) rather than that of many: “Here am I. Send him/her!”

Recently an activity was announced in our 55+ community which many of God’s people felt would be an affront to God’s values. A number of us met to talk about how to make our concerns known to the Association’s leadership. As we discussed how to do so someone brought up a principle which has been expressed in various ways: “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for God’s people to do nothing!” So we determined to wake up, size up, wise up, rise up, speak up and not shut up but to “…do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15). In other words, “Let us not be offensive in making our convictions known.” (Another McMillan paraphrase.)

As I pondered and prayed about this planned event I briefly wavered about “getting involved”. But God brought a question to my mind: Am I someone’s “somebody else”? Put another way, is there a fellow believer out there who’s looking to me as a spiritual leader to act? Our Lord’s brother wrote, “Anyone…who knows the good (he or she) ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” (James 4:17). In other words, I’m sinning if I fail to do what’s right in God’s sight. So I expressed my views to the powers that be. As of this writing the event will go on as scheduled but we’re praying for God’s purposes to be fulfilled. But I’m thankful for God’s prompting me to move beyond thinking to doing.

A question for all of us: Am I someone’s “somebody else”?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan