Tag Archives: “Nobody”

“Nobody” by Casting Crowns (featuring Matthew West)

Why you ever chose me has always been a mystery
All my life I’ve been told I belong at the end of the line
With all the other not-quites, with all the never-get-in-rights
But it turns out they’re the ones You were lookin’ for all this time

‘Cause I’m just a nobody, tryin’ to tell everybody
All about somebody who saved my soul
Ever since You rescued me, you gave my heart a song to sing
I’m livin’ for the world to see nobody but Jesus
I’m living for the world to see nobody but Jesus

Well, Moses had stage fright, and David brought a rock to a sword fight
You picked 12 outsiders nobody would’ve chosen and you changed the world
Well, the moral of the story is everybody’s got a purpose
So, when I hear that Devil start talkin’ to me, sayin’,
“Who do you think you are?” I say

I’m just a nobody, trying to tell everybody
All about Somebody who saved my soul
Ever since You rescued me, you gave my heart a song to sing
I’m livin’ for the world to see nobody but Jesus
I’m livin’ for the world to see nobody but Jesus

So let me go down, down, down in history
As another blood-bought faithful member of the family
And if they all forget my name, well that’s fine with me
I’m livin’ for the world to see nobody but Jesus

So let me go down, down, down in history
As another blood-bought faithful member of the family
And if they all forget my name, well that’s fine with me
I’m livin’ for the world to see nobody but Jesus

‘Cause I’m just a nobody, trying to tell everybody
All about Somebody who saved my soul
Ever since you rescued me, You gave my heart a song to sing
I’m livin’ for the world to see nobody but Jesus
I’m livin’ for the world to see nobody but Jesus
I’m livin’ for the world to see nobody but Jesus

Written by Bernie Herms, Mark Hall, and Matthew West

Dear God, this song is exactly what I needed this morning. I’ve found that the most important thing I can do on the mornings I preach is get my heart right before you. It has to be you speaking through me. It has to be the Holy Spirit. If I get up there out of my own ego then I have failed everyone involved, most especially you. So I decided I needed to start with some praise music. I contemplated going to my usual mix on my phone, but wanted something fresh. I chose to try Christian music videos on YouTube and let it pick my mix (it’s almost like I was casting lots). I thought about whom I wanted to hear and I thought of Casting Crowns. I searched “Casting Crowns songs” and it gave me a mix starting with this song.

I’ve heard “Nobody” before, and I haven’t loved it. It sounded a little too spot-on for my taste. Too Christian-y. Too obvious. Like a Sunday school lesson with no depth. But this morning I sat down and listened to it while watching the video. It’s exactly what my heart needed to hear on a morning when I will stand in front of people and hopefully–prayerfully–deliver your message to them. When I’m standing up there, I’m just a nobody trying to tell all of them about what you have taught me. You have taught me through my successes, but more often than not you have taught me through my failures. You have taught me through my struggles and insecurities. You have taught me through repentance and forgiveness. I’m just one of them, standing in front of them give them hope, direction, inspiration and lead them in worship of and devotion to you.

So let’s look at this song in four chunks: the two verses, the chorus, and the bridge.

Why you ever chose me has always been a mystery
All my life I’ve been told I belong at the end of the line
With all the other not-quites, with all the never-get-it-rights
But it turns out they’re the ones You were lookin’ for all this time

I will confess to you that I’ve never wondered why you chose me. I grew up in the church at an early enough age that I never doubted that you came for everyone, including me. Now, where this verse does fit me is the idea that I do feel like I don’t measure up. I don’t measure up to others’ expectations, and I certainly don’t measure up to who you are or would want me to be. I have received your mercy and grace for this, and I am grateful, although I do confess that I take this for granted often. It’s such an amazing gift, how could I not? There’s no way I’ll ever be able to intellectually understand just how amazing your grace is.

Well, Moses had stage fright, and David brought a rock to a sword fight
You picked twelve outsiders nobody would’ve chosen and you changed the world
Well, the moral of the story is everybody’s got a purpose
So, when I hear that Devil start talkin’ to me, sayin’,
“Who do you think you are?” I say

That’s the beauty of the way you gave us scripture. Outside of Leviticus, Deuteronomy and parts of Exodus, you really didn’t give us an owner’s manual. You gave us a book of stories and letters. And the stories are filled with flawed people. Adam was flawed. Abraham. Noah. Moses. Job. Elijah. David. Peter. Paul. James. John. Mary. Joseph. They were all flawed. But that’s us. We are your people. You love us. My children are flawed and I love them very much. We are flawed and you love us even more.

I’m just a nobody tryin’ to tell everybody
All about Somebody that saved my soul
Ever since You rescued me, You gave my heart a song to sing
I’m livin’ for the world to see nobody but Jesus
I’m livin’ for the world to see nobody but Jesus

That’s it. I almost put an exclamation point there, but it’s more relaxed than that. It’s simple. That’s it. I’m just a guy sharing my faith this morning. I’ve spent time with you in prayer. I’ve studied and contemplated the scriptures. I’ve listened to the Holy Spirit. And now I feel like the Holy Spirit has something to say through me this morning. And the message is all based on things you’ve taught me. Waiting on you. Understanding I can’t see the whole picture. Not expecting all sunshine and roses. Rejoicing and worshipping anyway.

So, let me go down, down, down in history
As another blood-bought faithful member of the family
And if they all forget my name, well that’s fine with me
I’m livin’ for the world to see nobody but Jesus

I wasn’t put on this earth for my glory. I wasn’t put on this earth for fame and attention. I wasn’t put here to be remembered. My life will be largely forgotten two generations from now. My greatgrandchildren will probably know very little about me, if anything at all. But my life will have rippled into theirs in ways they will never know, just as thousands, millions, and even billions of lives have rippled into mine. My name won’t be attached, but if those around me can see you–if my children, my family, and my friends can see you–then my life has a shot at being a catalyst for the world to see you.

Father, help me to decrease as you increase this morning. Love through me. Live through me. Inspire through me. Convict and motivate through me. Let every person there see you and not me.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen