Quite some time ago I gave a Wednesday night invitation that I had heard a long time back as a preacher story. Since a lot of folks don't come on Wednesday that do come on a Sunday, I reckon I can use it as bulletin. When I was “chaplain” at the boy scout camp this past summer, it was one of the lessons I gave. Since the boys had never read or heard any of my bulletins, I was free to use my favorites as lessons and this was one of them.

A preacher once asked his congregation: Who is Tom Lynch, Jr? Chances are you have no idea who this is. If I told you he was once a fairly famous American, would that help? How about if I told you he was lost at sea at age 30? That he was a commissioned officer but never actually served? Maybe the fact he was from South Carolina? That the highlight of his life came at age 26? He was sentenced to death but never executed? Does any of that help you place him? Not really.

Tom Lynch Jr. is probably, to you, a nobody. You likely never heard his name before. And what a shame, you may think, that he was such a nobody. Someone who lived and died and no one remembers much about him. And yet, I think I wouldn't mind being a nobody just like him. Huh?

The preacher then told a story about three brothers. Anybody, Somebody, and Nobody. The three spent a lot of time together, but that doesn't mean they all did the same things. For instance, when it came to bible study Anybody could have done it daily and Somebody should have, but Nobody did. One day they heard about a fine older lady who was a shut-in and needed errands run once in a while. Anybody could have, Somebody should have, but Nobody did. What a good boy Nobody was!

There was a stranger in town looking for a place to stay. A distressed person looking for advice and help. An older man who needed some snow shoveled. A lonely and shy visitor to the church services. A lost soul in prison seeking guidance and friendship.

Yes, Anybody could have helped out all these people. Somebody should have. But you know, it was our hero Nobody who took on all these opportunities.

On the final day the three brothers were together for the last time. It was judgment day. As they stood before God, he told them only those who obeyed his Son and showed mercy and forgiveness in life would receive mercy and forgiveness from him. Anybody could have, Somebody should have, but Nobody did.

You see, it's just fine to be a Nobody. Nobody needs to know you're the one that ran that errand for that lady, or how much money you gave to help the needy or fund a preacher, or even how much time and effort you spent doing God's work. If you did it to be a "Somebody" then you did it for the wrong reason. There are a lot of "Nobody" folks who make life wonderful - who prepare class materials, teach your children, provide for the church, help the needy, spread the gospel, and the like. Anybody could have, Somebody should have, but they did!

But who is this Tom guy? One of the people who signed some Declaration back in 1776 and risked their lives and fortunes for the cause of freedom. Didn't sign it because he had to, or because he was paid to, or because of the "fame" it was going to bring him. Courage is when you do the right thing because it's right - and never mind the consequences. Yeah, today he's a nobody. How about you?

Randy