When no one notices—but God does

Matthew 28:16-20 (NLT)

¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!

¹⁸ Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,^[a] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Romans 12:4-8 (NLT)

⁴ Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, ⁵ so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

⁶ In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. ⁷ If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. ⁸ If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

1 Corinthians 12:12-27 (NLT)

¹² The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. ¹³ Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles,^[a] some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.^[b]

¹⁴ Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. ¹⁵ If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?

¹⁸ But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. ¹⁹ How strange a body would be if it had only one part! ²⁰ Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. ²¹ The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”

²² In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. ²³ And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, ²⁴ while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. ²⁵ This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.

²⁷ All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.

Have you ever felt that what you have to offer wasn’t valued or went unnoticed?

In the local church, the “seen” roles—especially those on stage—often receive more recognition, while behind-the-scenes work like scrubbing toilets or delivering a meal may be overlooked.

But God notices.

In Matthew 28, Jesus gives the Great Commission, calling every believer to play a role. Still, it’s easy to look at someone else’s more visible ministry and feel like ours isn’t as important. Comparison can leave us feeling undervalued.

In God’s Kingdom, recognition works differently. Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 compare the church to a human body in which all the parts are needed, none more important than another:

Romans 12:4-5 — “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

1 Corinthians 12:22 — “Some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.”

The truth? God isn’t comparing you to others. He gave you your unique qualities on purpose, for a purpose. The hand isn’t the foot, and the eye isn’t the ear—but each is indispensable.

So let’s focus less on comparison and more on being faithful with the opportunities, resources, and responsibilities God has given us. Whether you’re teaching children, setting up chairs, or praying for someone in need, do all for the glory of God and the building of His Kingdom.

Your role matters. You are seen. And in God’s eyes, your obedience and faithfulness have eternal value.

Reflection: What opportunities, resources, and responsibilities has God given me? How does the knowledge that I am seen and valued by Him impact my perspective?

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LYRICS

Stay in My Lane

Lyrics by Chelsea Amber, Jaylene Johnson

Music by Chelsea Amber, Jaylene Johnson, Nate Savage

Verse 1:

No cookie cutters

No fittin’ in a mold

No paint-by-numbers

Yeah comparison is old

Got my own kinda drummer

And I’m walking to the beat

I'm doing my own thing

Don’t need to compete

Chorus:

I'mma stay in my lane

I run my own race

The way I was made

Go forward, forward

I'mma stay in my lane

The path that’s been laid

I won’t turn away

Move forward, forward

Tag 1:

I'mma stay in my lane

I'mma runnin’ my race

I'mma stay in my lane

Move forward, forward

Verse 2:

Some people watchin’

Watch everything I do

I hear them talkin’

Like they’re judgin’ every move

I hope when you see me

I’m cheering for you too

Gotta lift each other

There’s room for me and you

Chorus

Tag 1

Bridge:

Forgetting what I’ve left behind

Won’t look to the left or right

Keep my eyes on the final prize

Press on, press on

(x4)

Chorus

Tag 2:

I'mma stay in my lane

I'mma runnin’ my race

I'mma stay in my lane

Move forward, forward

I'mma stay in my lane

I'mma runnin’ my race

I'mma stay in my lane

You gotta press on, press on