‘Everybody’s Gotta be Somewhere’ - Weekly Reflection 14th September 2025

In Episode 163 of The Goon Show, the highly esteemed BBC radio comedy from the 1950s, Neddy Seagoon happens across the childlike Eccles in a dark, damp, coal cellar. “What are you doing here?”, asks Seagoon. Eccles replies: “Everybody’s gotta be somewhere.”[i]

The Goon Show featured on the periphery of my childhood but for some reason this quote has stuck in my memory. Hence I was delighted when a quick Google search revealed a ‘Reflection’ based around this quote. (Link here Everybody's Gotta be Somewhere - LifePicture)

It’s something about the pure logic of Eccles response that has lived with me. And throughout life I found myself in all sorts of places, and sometimes wishing I wasn’t there, but there I was none the less, because I had to be somewhere.  

I have just read a very harrowing transcript of a telephone conversation with Todd Beamer. Beamer (November 24, 1968 – September 11, 2001) was an American passenger aboard United Airlines Flight 93, which was hijacked and crashed as part of the September 11 attacks in 2001. He was one of the passengers who attempted to regain control of the aircraft from the hijackers. During the struggle, the Boeing 757 lost control and crashed into a field in Stonycreek Township near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing everyone on board, but saving the hijackers' intended target and potential additional victims.

That is certainly finding yourself somewhere you would rather not be in the ultimate extreme.  

My own experiences of wishing I wasn’t ‘somewhere’ pale into insignificance when compared this.

However, there are times when I ask myself “what am I doing here?”

One of those was on the recent visit to HMP Rye Hill on the 1^st September as part of the ‘visitor party’ for Afternoon Tea with the residents, especially those who rarely get visits.  I was a tad nervous about how this would work out. However, it turned out to be so well organised and such an enjoyable experience. And certainly, from what I heard at the time and the feedback since is that it was also well appreciated and an enjoyable experience for the people in prison.

And another occasion was last week on Tuesday 9^th September when I was with a group of 13 people mainly from St Oswald’s and visiting the Sherborne Recycling Centre in Coventry. (Sherbourne Recycling) Now that may sound like an odd place to visit but it turned out to be so informative and interesting. It is a state-of-the-art facility for recycling that has been in the planning and development since 2016 and was finally fully opened in 2025. Part of the facility is a visitors’ centre, and they welcome all community groups as part of their drive to reduce waste and involve everyone in the process of recycling. 

This morning at St Oswald’s we continued our exploration of Acts and today we reflected on Acts 16.16-34.  This this story of Paul and Silas being imprisoned while in Phillipi. And worth noting that this wasn’t where they thought they were going to be, see Acts 16.6ff, but here they were because everybody has to be somewhere. The story continues and we find Paul and Silas, beaten and thrown in prison. I am sure it was somewhere they didn’t want to be but look at their response.

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” Acts 16.25

And Paul was to write in his letter to the Christians in Rome, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8.28.

Recall the beautiful story of Esther and when Mordica speaks to Esther about her needing to approach the king despite the danger, “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4.14

Consider the story of Joseph having been sold into slavery and now being reconciled to his brothers says, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” Exodus 50.20

‘What am I doing here’ is a good question to ask as we step out into the week ahead.

Then asking, am I here for such a time as this, to offer something unique, that might be like Paul and Silas singing God’s praises in the direst of circumstances witnessing to God’s presence, power and authority. Or am I here to learn something, a life lesson or something in my onward journey as a disciple of Jesus.

Michel Quoist in his book, ‘The Making a Man of God’ (about King David) wrote,

“You are a unique and irreplaceable actor in the drama of human history, and Jesus Christ has need of you to make known his salvific work present in this particular place, at this particular time.”

“Everybody’s gotta be somewhere” – so, let’s endeavour to be where God wants us to be!  

 

[i] The Goon Show Site – Script – The Last Goon Show of All (Special Episode)