(Paul Merrill writes here every First Friday)

A few weeks ago, a friend mentioned that he told his pastor how wrong he was to clean the church’s toilets. This friend (let’s call him “Bob”) said how much wiser it would be to hire a cleaner who needed the work – and his pastor could spend his time doing more important things like meeting with church members or preparing sermons. Bob went on to say that he never picks up trash on the sidewalk. “I’m not like that. I can’t be bothered. It’s someone else’s job.”

I disagreed.

You see, I am one who picks up trash on the sidewalk. I said to Bob, “If the king of the universe were behind me, I’d want the sidewalk to be as nice as possible, so he would enjoy his walk more.” Jesus said in Matthew how we should treat the lowest member of society like a king. I was thinking anyone walking behind me might be a king.

Bob was speechless. For about 10 seconds. Then he changed the topic.

I think we both were wrong. And we both were right.

Bob had a good point about how we should focus our time and resources wisely. I had a good point about how humility is an excellent attribute to have.

Bob was wrong to say that it’s never good for leaders to clean toilets (Jesus washed the feet of his disciples in John 13.) I was wrong to get angry enough with Bob for his not understanding those who are not like him, such that my anger lingered into the next day. And maybe I was being Martha.

Jesus is the only man who had a truly balanced life. Those of us who follow Him are thankful for the example He gave us on how we need to live. In every way.