Let's get right into this. There are times I feel very unappreciated and there are times I don't feel very appreciative. Maybe you're like me and there are things you do in life that go unnoticed. Everyone likes to feel like what they do makes a difference and helps in some way but sometimes actions go unnoticed and that's tough. Just know that the One Who Sees, El Roi, knows. God knows and He cares.
It's hard for me to think that someone so magnificent and incredible would take time out of their day to know me and what I do, but God does care and He does see. God sees your actions, my actions, everyone's actions and they do matter to Him. Scripture says in James 2:17, "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. " Now, don't get it twisted. Works don't save anyone. It is through faith alone that we are saved (Ephesians 2:8), but it feels nice to be appreciated, doesn't it?
God is El Roi, the One Who Sees. God sees all of our actions, good and bad, and yet still loves us. Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 1:2, "We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers," This verse indicates that Paul was praying for the Thessalonican church and appreciating all they were doing for the Kingdom of God. It's not told whether or not Paul knew all of their works but he saw their good works done through faith and acknowledged them. I can't imagine what it must have been like to read those words from one of the heroes of the faith. The Lord inspiring Paul to pen those words of encouragement must have been incredible.
I'll tell you all day that I don't need encouragement because I get it from myself enough but at the end of the day, I'm a mush runner. I feed off people telling me "Good job" or something along those lines. I think everyone is like that to an extent. We all just want to be told that we're doing good. At the end of time when we stand before God Almighty, if we are in Him and accepted Him as Savior and Lord, He'll say to us, "Well done my good and faithful servant". That's the biggest form of showing appreciation I can think of. If you find yourself this week thinking that God doesn't see you or God doesn't care about what you're doing to make an impact, just remember that He is El Roi, the One Who Sees. Much love and God bless.