Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
Colossians 3:23-25
Lord Jesus, I struggle today as I reflect upon how I pour my life into what I do and into the lives of those I am in engaged with, yet finding myself walking away often feeling unloved, unappreciated, and undervalued. With these feelings comes notions within my mind that I am being taken advantage of and that my gifts are viewed as having little benefit. I often wonder is it all worth it, feeling as if I have done all this only to be discarded along the side of the road, my contribution viewed as minimal, the world’s response lacking any semblance for gratitude. That is why this morning this verse resonates so deeply within my spirit. What I do I do not do it for others, though they benefit from my labors. Though I do find joy in seeing how I make others’ lives better it is not even for that response that I do what I do. My service, though felt and experienced by others, is to You. For me, acknowledgement and recognition should not be sought from the likes of mankind, but instead I should seek it from You, living my life as You did, serving as You served, pouring my life out into the lives of others even as You poured Your life out for me. Master, help me today to get beyond how others make me feel in the midst of service, and instead focus all of my attention on how You make me feel, whether I please You or not, and the joy I get out of my fellowship with the Father through You. Help me to serve selflessly, not concerned about how those I serve treat me or respond to my service. Instead, give me the faith and patience to wait on You and Your affirmation, reminded that it has eternal ramifications. Lord Jesus, remind me that I am serving You and that You see all that I am going through. Help me not to let not my good be evil spoken of because I get in the way. Enable me to glorify You in my service this day keeping my eyes on You. I thank You for Your divine enablement through the Holy Spirit. I yield to His direction today. Use me please and help me to squash these emotions that Your fingerprints might be seen through me. I pray this in Your Name. Amen.