The pastor walked into the church alone and felt an overwhelming sense of God's holiness. He went to the front, knelt down at the altar rail, and began to beat himself on the chest, crying out, "Oh Lord, I am nothing!"

A few moments later, the minister of music entered the church. He too felt the overwhelming presence of God and, seeing the pastor at the altar, went and knelt down beside him. He also began to strike his chest and say, "Oh Lord, I am nothing. I am nothing."

It happened that the whole staff, one by one, began coming in. The minister of recreation, the minister of education—eventually, the whole staff, all kneeling at the altar bemoaning their "nothingness" before the Almighty.

A little while later, the church custodian came in and got caught up in the revival, as well. He knelt beside the ministerial colleagues and began beating on his chest, adding to the refrain, "Oh Lord, I am nothing. I am nothing."

At that moment the pastor looked up, saw the janitor, and nudged the minister of music. "Well, well," he said. "Just look at who thinks he's nothing!"