“God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you’ve shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.”
Hebrews 6:10
“No one notices what I do until I stop doing it.” –Anonymous
Many of us can relate to the words of Mr./Ms. Anonymous.
We work hard every day, tirelessly making sacrifices for our families, churches, and the organizations we work for. We’re devoted and dependable. We’re the ones who pick up the slack, taking on extra responsibilities so that nothing falls between the cracks.
Yet, no one seems to notice.
Our spouses. Our kids. Our supervisors. The ministers on staff. No one.
We wonder if our work really matters.
Let me reassure you: it does matter.
To anyone who feels unnoticed or underappreciated, allow this truth to seep into your bones: The Lord sees you. When it seems like no one else is paying attention, Jesus is paying attention.
This is not just my opinion. It’s a truth rooted in the very character of God. He isn’t “unjust” (Hebrews 6:10). He is a God who sees “what is done in secret” (Matthew 6:4,6).
He sees the late nights, the long hours, the countless moments you’ve put others before yourself – He sees it all. Even better, He remembers every act of service, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. Nothing you do out of love for Him is ever wasted.
This is precisely the message the writer of Hebrews wants to convey to his readers.
After sternly warning not to “fall away” from their faith (Hebrews 6:6), the author softens his tone. Like any good coach or teacher, he admonishes and encourages. Essentially, he encourages them to keep serving the Lord until the “very end” (Hebrews 6:11). He reminds them that the Lord “will not forget” their diligence and to remain undeterred in their dedication.
I imagine his words were like cool water to their worn-out souls.
Maybe you could use a sip of that water, too.
Let’s face it. When we feel underappreciated, the temptation is to grow lazy, perhaps even a bit apathetic. We may start to falter in our commitment or begin to develop a bad attitude. What’s the point of serving if no one ever notices how hard we’re working?
But it’s in these discouraging moments that we must remember, for a Christian, the point of all service isn’t to be seen and appreciated, as good as it feels. Rather, our service, even at work, is an act of worship, an offering to the King who “came not to be served but to serve and give His life away” (Mark 10:45). We do not labor just for the recognition of the people we work for. We serve for the recognition of heaven. Human recognition is fleeting. Heavenly recognition is eternal.
One day we will stand before Jesus’ throne, weary from life’s trials, and we will hear these words from His lips, “Well done, my good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21). On that glorious day, the only thing that will matter is that in everything we did, we served Jesus faithfully.
May the vision of that day empower you today. Fill your heart with His love, and then, out of the overflow, do your job and go “help His people” in any way you can. (Hebrews 6:10). Serve with joy. Serve with passion. Serve in ways both big and small, knowing that your “labor for the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Whatever you do, don’t stop pouring out your energy for His name and His renown.
He sees you, my friend. He really does.
And He’s cheering for you every step of the way.
Written by Jonathan Munson, Executive Director, RFTH
DIG DEEPER INTO SERVING
Read “The Blessing of Serving Others” by Bryant Wright
