Yes, you read that right, the title of this blog is toilet brush. Now that might seem like a really weird topic for me but if you hang in with me for a few minutes it will all make sense.

Let me take you back to my first week in the youth group. It was bittersweet because the youth pastor, Frank,  who had been there for a while, was taking a new position at another church and moving. My older brother had been in the youth group with him for years so I grew to know him throughout that time and I was so excited to be in his ministry. That week was his last sermon and you know what the title was. Toilet brush. It has stuck with me so much that I wanted to share it with you. Hang in here with me this has been over 20 years ago… Ouch, that hurt to think about. It doesn’t feel like it’s been that long ago. 

Let me start with some context so you can grasp the whole story. Frank is not a small man, the best way for you to imagine him is to picture The Rock, yes Dwayne Johnson. I mean this dude was jacked and he had quite a few tattoos too. Needless to say, he was not the typical and/or traditional pastor at our church.  Now that gives you a picture of him in your head. You can imagine my surprise when this somewhat intimidating man walked out on stage with a toilet brush. He started his sermon with a story. Here is the cliff notes version, like I said it has been 20 years and I’ve slept since then.  He started describing his first job in a church, as a part of this job he was the church janitor as well. He came to find out this was done purposefully by the leadership of that church. He explained to us that through that time he learned not only how to do ministry in the real world, he was also taught by the senior pastor that not everything you do in ministry is on a stage and that holding the title pastor also meant he was a servant. The reason for the toilet brush he brought on stage was a visual that no one in his church really took notice of all the work he was doing, unless he didn’t do his job then people would notice. But God noticed every time he cleaned those bathrooms and vacuumed the sanctuary. Through his service people were able to walk into that building and experience a relationship with God without the distractions of the place being a mess. That idea is a thought that has stuck with me throughout my life. 

We are called to be servants just as Jesus was a servant. This means we do things behind the scenes. It doesn’t matter if you are on staff at a church or a Jesus follower, our actions are not meant to always be public for everyone to see. Just like in Matthew 6:1, Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” So go and clean those toilets or do the things that no one else wants to do because they don’t seem important enough. It’s not about being in the limelight, it’s about serving God with everything you do and say. 

I pray that this blog today was an encouragement to you and can help in your daily life. Always know I am available to pray with you or just be someone to talk to when life gets hard. E-mail me at megan@churchanywhere.us if you need prayer! 

Talk to you next Monday!