Living an Unseen Life

Have you ever made it through a long day, took a deep breath, and felt completely exhausted? As you reflected over the past 24 hours, your heart felt heavy as your mind replayed the moments where you were overlooked. Maybe your hard work didn’t seem to pay off. Maybe no one thanked you for your commitment and time. Or perhaps you felt used because no one else seemed to be doing responsible things and expected you to fix all their problems.

It can get wearisome doing the right thing, no matter what the “right thing” looks like. Sometimes, it’s reaching out to a person who denies their need for community. Other times, it’s standing up for the marginalized even when it’s not popular. Often, it’s when we are doing what Jesus would want us to do, which isn’t “the norm” in a society that doesn’t have the same values.

After everything I’ve said, there don’t seem to be many perks to doing the right thing though, huh? Especially because our efforts go unappreciated. But what if I told you that it’s better when we aren’t appreciated for our good works?

Before I go on, I want to give a disclaimer: it’s not bad to get appreciated. It’s human to seek validation and affection, and if you get those things, that doesn’t take away from your faith. However, I want to give encouragement for those of us who have felt unseen as we try to spread God’s love in a broken world.

When Jesus came here, He knew the discouragement we would face when being apprentices of Him. If you think about it, Jesus was only thanked a handful of times despite the countless sacrificial things He did. He understands our pain. That’s why Jesus addresses this issue during one of His sermons to His disciples.

Jesus says, “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Though He’s specifically addressing assisting the needy, I believe this can be interpreted as any act we do to help others for the sake of Christ. Not only does this remind us that everything we do that gets overlooked by people is seen by God, it helps us refocus our intentions when doing generous things.

You see, when we do everything for Jesus, we aren’t just helping others learn more about Him, we are doing it for others rather than for ourselves. Yes, we can benefit and grow from serving, but shouldn’t our primary goal be helping those we’re serving? When we get so caught up over whether or not someone is watching, we forget the purpose behind our mission.

I’m going to leave you with this challenge: the next time you reflect over an opportunity to be there for someone, don’t feel bad about how it went, regardless of whether or not you were appreciated. Instead, feel blessed that you were able to help and that God is so proud of you.

Don’t grow weary in doing good. Eventually, you will begin to see what a difference you make in the world. ❤

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:33