wash toilet
“Those whom he wanted to promote, he promoted; and those whom he wanted to humble, he humbled.” (Dan 5:19)
Paul wanted to pursue a career in the building construction industry. Early in his career, he was working with a large ministry to help direct many of their construction projects.
As the projects were completed, Paul was asked to stay on for future projects. To keep him busy he was given various tasks – one of which was cleaning toilets. He remembers getting down on his knees every day and complaining to the Lord, “Lord, I’m a college graduate!”
Discouraged, Paul said to the Lord, “I will not leave here unless you promote me. Please satisfy me with my situation.”
Paul felt that God had completely forgotten him. A few months later, Paul received a call from a man in the Midwest who owned five successful businesses who wanted to interview Paul for a job. This was a complete surprise to Paul. As he walked in for the interview, he said to God, “I only want you in my life, nothing else. If I have you I am content to remain obscure for the rest of my life. To get this job you will have to overcome my lack of experience.”
The company owner asked Paul a surprising question: “If I asked you to clean toilets, what would you do?” Paul sat there stunned. He wanted to laugh bitterly. Paul assured her that he would simply pick up a sponge and start cleaning.
Surprisingly, Paul was hired, even though other candidates were more qualified. After several months of success, Paul asked his boss why he hired him. His boss replied, “Paul, I still have a big pile of applications from people who wanted this job. Do you remember the first question I asked you in the interview? I asked everyone the same question. You were the only one who said they would clean toilets. Paul, I’m a rich man, but I grew up in poverty. I clean my own toilets at home. I can’t run my business to people who take pride in cleaning toilets.”
Sometimes God puts us in situations to see whether we will be faithful in them before He wants to encourage us to greater things.
