Genesis 16:13: “You are the God who sees me.”
You give.
You show up.
You pray for people who don’t check on you.
You pour into others and wonder: does anyone even notice?
You love God, but secretly… you’re tired.
Not tired of serving, but of the loneliness in service.
Serving Ministers (The Weariness of Hidden Service)
Let’s walk a bit in Joshua’s shoes….Before Joshua became a leader, he was a servant. He wasn’t the one stretching out a rod at the Red Sea. He wasn’t receiving the Ten Commandments. He was just the guy behind The Guy (Moses).
He waited at the foot of the mountain while Moses encountered God. (Exodus 24:13)
He lingered at the Tent of Meeting even after Moses had gone. (Exodus 33:11)
He fought battles.
He stood by.
He listened.
He stayed faithful, even when it looked like he would never be “the one.”
Joshua’s service was never unseen. He was being prepared, his service was noted and when the time came God said to him: “This day I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel.” (Joshua 3:7).
God rewarded Joshua’s service in secret publicly. Jesus Christ speaking in Matthew 6:6 said: …..your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Right in the secret place, in the obscurity, God is seeing you and weighing you.
The waiting is where most hearts faint.
Being the prayer warrior that no one prays for can be exhausting.
Being the encourager no one checks on can be depleting.
Sometimes the silence is loud.
You feel like a machine. A bottomless well.
Mothers….
Mothers especially can relate. It seems like they are ceaselessly giving, yet no one pours back into them.
Some are blessed with supportive husbands who genuinely care and show it.
But many, especially in our African context, find themselves constantly pouring without replenishment.
This is why burnout is common. It’s why many become irritable, impatient, and withdrawn.
They’ve given and given with little to no return.
It’s even worse for those who don’t know God or aren’t daily receiving His love.
Who aren’t allowing Him to minister to them.
Then, There Are Employees
It feels like they signed a lifelong contract to pour their best into companies, organizations, and teams, often with little appreciation.
Contextualize Your Service.
Know WHO you are truly serving. Scripture tells us to serve as unto the Lord.
Ephesians 6:5–8 says: “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do”
In today’s world, “slaves” would be employees, domestic staff, interns, anyone in a serving role. Paul wasn’t glamorizing slavery, he was giving it better perspective. In Essence, Who are you really working for?
When you see yourself as serving the Lord, you take the pressure off people. You stop expecting men to fill what only God can fill. You stop resenting lack of recognition, because you know God sees. Your actual sees you ALL the time.
Your Secret Source of Strength
If you’re going to keep pouring without burning out, you need to remain connected to your Source.
Psalm 2:4: “He that sits in the heavens shall laugh”
Ephesians 2:6: And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.
This means that we are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. So, even when you’re moving through tasks on earth, your spirit is seated in the heavens. That’s how you keep joy. That’s how you stay full.
Think of it like a triangle:
God pours into you → You pour → You are filled to pour again.
Here’s how to stay full:
- Play Scriptures aloud.
- Pray in the the spirit always. (Ephesians 6:18)
- Soak your space with worship.
- Feed your heart with life-giving words.
- Let the Word dwell richly within you. Anchor your identity in God, not in what you do. You are not what you produce.
- Let others pour into you: Don’t isolate. Ask for help.
- Schedule time for refilling (Luke 5:16)
- Celebrate the gift of hiddenness: Some of God’s greatest treasures are buried in the wilderness.
What Serving in Secret Produces:
- Depth of Character: Endurance. Humility. Pure motives.
- Capacity for Leadership: Joshua’s years of service made him fit to lead.
- Divine Reward: No labor in the Lord is ever wasted. (1 Corinthians 15:58)
God Sees You
You’ve been serving, at home, at work, in ministry and you’re starting to feel dry. You’re smiling, but inside, you’re bleeding. Maybe even resentful. Here’s what I say to you:
God sees.
Not just your position.
Not just your output.
He sees you.
He hasn’t forgotten.
He sees the heart behind the labor, the tears behind the prayer, the questions you never say out loud. Always remember, faithfulness in another’s work is often preparation for your own. Luke 16:12 says: “If you are not faithful with another man’s business, who will give you your own?” Your service today is likely your training ground. It’s your internship for greatness. Nothing is wasted. When your time comes, it will be undeniable.
So don’t stop, but also rest.
Let God minister to you.
You are not just a servant.
You are His beloved child.
Serving is beautiful. But hidden service can feel like a silent heartbreak. God knows. He doesn’t just see your hands, He sees your heart. So if you’re pouring out and wondering if anyone sees…Lift your eyes, He sees you. He will not forget your labor of love. Hebrews 6:10 says: “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”
One day, He will say: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” In that moment, every unnoticed tear will make sense.
