Everybody Has an Obligation

I recalled this humorous poem I heard years ago. It’s entitled, Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, And Nobody:

This is a little story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.
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 angry about that because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought that 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.

Funny, yet sad and true!  The Pareto principle (the law of the vital few), is very applicable to this humorous little poem.

I’ve heard it said that 20% of the BODY of Christ does 80% of the work.  This type of body is unhealthy and operates with dysfunctional limbs. Ephesians 4:16 (NLT) gives an example of what a vital, healthy and mature body looks like.  “He (Christ) makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”  This body is healthy and produces growth because EACH PART recognizes the mission—to fulfill the Great Commission.  They are not satisfied with sitting on the sidelines and letting others do their job.  God has personally called them.  Romans 8:12 (NIV) tells the believer that we have an obligation to live a life of faith and walk in the Spirit rather than satisfy our own selfish desires. The word translated as “obligation” in that verse comes from the Greek noun opheiletai which means a delinquent, one who is indebted to another.  We can never repay God, but grace gives us the choice to love God freely by offering ourselves as a sacrifice—a love slave (Exodus 21:25).  

God sees the BIG picture.  There’s plenty of work, but not enough workers.  Jesus said it Himself in Matthew 9:37-38 (NLT), “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”  God knew the Pareto principle before Joseph M. Juran did!* That’s why Jesus told us in this Scripture to pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send more help.  He knew the faithful few could become weary.

I don’t know about YOU, but I want to be a part of what God is doing.  I choose to relentlessly pursue God and am challenged to fulfill what He has called me to do.  Although I can always encourage others, I will not entangle myself with another’s mission and let it sidetrack me from what God has called me to do.  I will remain steadfast and focused!  I want to hear God say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant…Let’s celebrate together (Matt. 25:23 NLT)!”  Fulfilling the Great Commission is not an option.  It is a commandment (Matt. 28:19-20) and YOU have an obligation!

You decide.  What part of the body are YOU?  Are you more like Everybody, Somebody, Anybody or Nobody?  I am part of the faithful few the BODY of Christ.  We the Church worldwide are His hands and feet.  Let’s get busy and be about the Father’s business (Luke 2:49 KJV)!  There’s a big harvest and a lot of work to be done.

PRAYER:  “Lord help me to do what you have called me to do. Send in the reinforcements. Grant your Body a “second wind.” Bless us with people of like-mind who will catch the vision you have given your leaders. May we unite as one man to see Your will be done in our area and around the world. Grant us strength, both physically and spiritually. When we are weak…make us strong. Thank you for your promise that when I am weak, I can humbly come to You for strength (2 Cor. 12:9-10). In Jesus name. AMEN.  

(Management Consultant Joseph M. Juran discovered the 80/20 rule and named it after Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto.  It is known today as the Pareto Principle, the law of the vital few.)