The Toilet Paper Test

There are very few things in life that create instant panic.

Running out of gas on a lonely road.

Realizing you've left your phone at home.

Walking into a room and forgetting why you went there.

But somewhere near the top of the list is discovering—just a little too late—that the toilet paper roll is empty.

Now let's be honest.

Every one of us checks to make sure there's toilet paper.

Almost none of us are excited about replacing the roll.

Somewhere between using the last square and walking away, we convince ourselves that changing the roll is suddenly someone else's ministry.

And isn't that funny?

It's such a tiny task. It only takes a few seconds. Yet somehow, everyone notices the empty roll... and everyone hopes the next person will deal with it.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized churches can be a lot like that.

We all notice what's missing.

"The coffee wasn't made."

"Nobody greeted me."

"The trash is full."

"The kids' room needs attention."

"Someone should call that family."

"The weeds need pulling."

"The music was too loud."

"The music wasn't loud enough."

"The bulletin had a typo."

We are incredibly gifted at spotting empty rolls.

But the Kingdom of God has never been built by people who simply noticed problems. It's been built by people who quietly picked up the next roll and took care of it.

The truth is, some of the greatest servants in the church are people whose names most of us will never know.

They're the ones who vacuum after everyone goes home.

The ones who stack chairs.

The ones who refill the paper towels.

The ones who pray when no one is watching.

The ones who visit the sick without ever posting about it.

The ones who quietly see a need... and meet it.

Jesus lived that way.

The King of Kings wrapped a towel around His waist and washed dirty feet.

He didn't wait for someone else to do the unpleasant job. He simply served.

He even reminded His disciples:

"The greatest among you shall be your servant." — Matthew 23:11

Here's the funny thing about toilet paper.

Nobody applauds the person who replaces the roll.

Nobody gathers the family together and says, "Can we just take a moment to recognize this incredible act of service?"

But everyone benefits because someone chose to do what needed to be done.

That's Christianity in its purest form.

Not serving because you'll be noticed.

Not serving because you'll receive recognition.

Not serving because your name is on a plaque.

Serving because Jesus served you first.

So, the next time you replace an empty toilet paper roll, let it remind you of something much bigger.

Instead of asking, "Why doesn't somebody do something?"

Maybe ask...

"Why not me?"

Sometimes the holiest thing you'll do this week won't happen behind a pulpit.

It might just happen behind the scenes—where only God sees.

And that's more than enough.