Colossians 3:23-24 NIV– Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving

One of the hardest things to remind ourselves of is to keep going when we put in our due time and effort only to sometimes find ourselves with nothing to show in return. Is it a reward that keeps one going? Maybe it’s the applause or maybe for some, it’s the sense of control. Others feel they owe it to another to invest their time and money as well as their all-out duty. However, one’s opinion of man can change based on the treatment received where some may change their degree of loyalty and hard work ethic. That is why it’s best to keep God as your source of motivation and dedication to any task, job, or project at hand. God will remain the same and is unchangeable. Plus while staying on track can be challenging, it’s important to keep yourself encouraged in the Lord until your invested time finally picks up its pace.

TO WHOM AND WHAT PURPOSE DO WE WORK?

The question is who and what is it all for. If you’ve ever given your blood, sweat and tears despite being overlooked, talked about, overworked or underpaid, then perhaps you understood there’s more of a reason behind why you wear a smile whether things are noticeably well or not. An even greater question is, who are we working unto when our work becomes unnoticed? When our invested work becomes unnoticed this can work against the built-up expectancy that our hard work will pay off. Without seeing any noticeable return, we can find ourselves feeling a sense of waste.

Remember it’s normal to have pockets or even seasons where your return feels little to none but stay committed and don’t give up! If it was meant and you stay in prayer for God to direct you, your time will surely come. However, it’s not about you being noticed as much as it is about God plan being fulfilled and other lives reflecting a notable change based on what you have invested in their lives.

Galatians 6:9 ESV- And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Perspective

When your success is measured through man’s eye, you’ll only be as successful as he sees fit.     

 

Instead Keep These Things In Mind-

1. Remember your reason
2. Keep on being consistent and diligent so your baby step become giant steps when you look back.
3. Re-evaluate your approach and motives from time to time to make sure you’re on track.
4. Focus on the “need” along with your product or service’s success and NOT your individual popularity.
5. Remember that to build something truly valuable, it takes time.
6. Trust in God in the lonely unnoticeable times and thank and praise him in noticeable times.

Questions We May Ask Ourselves-

What am I doing this for?

What is it that I’ve done wrong?

What do I have to do to get some recognition? 

Surely I should reap what I’ve sown

When is my time gonna come?

Questions are good because they have us analyze what we’re doing with our ambitions. They also reveal our overall motives. Are our motives to please God or just to please man? 

FIX YOUR AIM

 So, in other words, what are we aiming towards? Just think of an arrow that’s shooting towards its destination. The direction is determined based on how it’s positioned in the bow and how it’s released before it even begins its journey. So, if our focus is not set on our target to begin with, we’ll shoot to another destination that’s off course. The only question to ask ourselves now would be, “Is my target aimed to please man or is my target aimed to please God?” Along with this, when it comes to what we’ve invested in, we should ask ourselves, “Is this still my course and my direction?” If the answer is still a yes, then what we’re aiming towards is not to be distracted by-

Who sees us 

The lack of acknowledgment or reward

The degree of respect, status or positioning

What people have said, or are saying, or aren’t saying

BEING SEEN

I get it. We need some attention so that people can see what we’re doing and respond. Of course. This is certainly necessary in order to be of service to more people. But sometimes our desire for being noticed can get out of control if one goes to an unethical, immoral or unprofessional extent to gain a little shine. 

Matthew 6:1 NLT- Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.

DECIDE IF THIS IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH

When it comes down to it you will need to decide exactly what and whom you’re committed to. And I don’t know about you but investing your all without God in the center of it, is like missing that reassurance of knowing that He’s got you when it all feels unstable and unsteady. Remember, it’s He that notices who, what, where, and why you’re doing it all and it’s He that ultimately will reward you in the end for all you do in His name!

STAY STRONG!    STAY THE COURSE!    BE ENCOURAGED!