Do you ever feel forgotten? Insignificant? Unappreciated? Do you ever feel like no one notices you, like it wouldn’t matter if you disappeared?

Most of us feel that way from time to time. It’s a side-effect of our performance-oriented culture that says you are only as valuable as your last touchdown, last paycheck, or the last favor you did for a friend. When you feel forgotten, it’s just one short step to self- pity, anger and depression. Maybe you’re wrestling with those feelings lately. If so, let me remind you of something.

The Bible says, “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God” (1 Corinthians 4:5). In other words, God sees what is going on in your world and no sacrifice is forgotten. Every time you hold your tongue when it’s hard, he notices. Every time you do the right thing, he sees. Every time you knuckle down and persevere when everything inside of you screams to run and quit, God sees.

Jesus taught that God is the father of everyone who receives his son as savior, and as a father his eyes are always on you. So don’t be deceived into thinking that what you do or what you say doesn’t matter because nobody publishes it on a website or plasters it on the front page of the newspaper. The truth is that the public is irrelevant. The crowds don’t matter. What matters is the fact that God himself is watching, and at the end of this great day called Creation, he will have the last word about you. He will be the one who hands out the only praise that really satisfies.

This is a key theme in the Bible. Jesus said, “But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first” (Matthew 19:30). It’s true. Earthly fame is a joke. Earthly success is often a horrible lie. But the truth will be told. It’s just a matter of time. So don’t fall into the trap of thinking you don’t matter. Eternity is just around the corner, and that’s where the father reveals what no one else sees.

I’ll see you on Sunday. Be true!

Greg Daulton, Mount Rainier Christian Center