Why I Get Involved!

This little quote from an anonymous author hangs on my office wall. It serves as my external conscience and helps remind me to put ‘Me’ into the responsibility equation.

   “This is a 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 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!”
 

Recently, I was trying to think about how to motivate people to volunteer at our church. We do desperately need more hands, more eyes and certainly more heads to keep things running smoothly! I was letting my mind wonder...staring glassy eyed at my wall thinking about the problem. Suddenly, almost like the hand of faith intervened, I was shaken out of my foggy, dreamlike state and my eyes fell onto and focused intensely on this special quote.

I was surprised to discover that an important character named “Each of Us” was not included in this story. Did the anonymous author forget to include “The Individual” in his or her story? Or, was “Each of Us” really the point of the story all along. I finally concluded that the latter interpretation was the correct one because in the end I’m the only one who can add the “Me” to this story.

Now I understand how this story has been able to affect me. Things can only get done by individuals...not by Everybody...not by Anybody...not even by Somebody...and certainly not by Nobody...only by Each of Us!

h  w  g

It’s been said that the three basic components of stewardship are time, talent and treasure.

Of the three I see TIME as absolutely the most important! The time we have on earth is limited and it probably the most valuable asset we possess. How we allocate this scarce resource says a lot about our character. This is probably why I focus so much on trying to motivate people to serve. It really feels good to give my time in service of others. I believe every moment of service given also adds immeasurable strength to the whole. The type of service activity performed is unimportant...nor is the economic value of that service. The real value is in the act of giving! Giving has infinite value and contributes beyond measure to increase the wealth of Each of Us.

How much time have you given? Ask the person next to you how you can serve!

Philip T. DiPeri
December, 2005

 

Copyright © 2005, Philip T. DiPeri All Rights Reserved