Hidden in Plain Sight

I don’t stand out.

I’m not one of those people that walks into a room and others are naturally drawn to them. There’s certainly nothing wrong with being that person, but it’s most definitely not me.

Here’s the thing though, I also won’t put on a show or single out certain people to impress.

I don’t hide my feelings well. My face shows everything, and I’m not great at being a chameleon. I’ve never been great at wanting to be part of the popular crowd.

I tend to be pretty straightforward. Probably too straightforward (I’m working on it), but I’m not rude . . . I’m just not super outgoing and combined with sometimes being too honest, there are people that flat don’t like me because I’m not going to pretend or play games.

Some people think I’m quiet . . . I’m really not . . . those that know me well will confirm I love a good conversation, but I am introverted. I’m not shy, but I don’t like talking just to hear myself talk. I’m incredibly protective of my time and energy. I know my limits, and I know my priorities. I’m a hard worker. I’m loyal, and I’m dedicated.

The truth is, sometimes all of this means I fade easily into the background. Sometimes it means I’m invisible. Sometimes it means, I can pour myself into something, work my hardest, give my all and then watch as others are recognized, and I’m forgotten. It’s happened to me more than once, and if I sat here and told you that I don’t care, I’d be lying. It does hurt when people overlook you. It doesn’t feel great to feel invisible. That’s just human nature and reality.

We live in a world . . . we exist in a church in America . . . that applauds platforms. We celebrate celebrity. We think a platform means you’re automatically a world changer. We believe prominence equals relevance and righteousness. We want to be heard AND seen, and we believe if we’re not, we’re not doing big things for the Kingdom of God. We think that the only way to do it is with an audience, on a stage. Without recognition and applause, it’s not worth the cost.

I saw a post on Instagram today that said something to the effect of (I’m definitely paraphrasing here) . . . if no one ever sees me . . . sees me cleaning my house or singing to my kids or washing the dishes . . . do I still believe that I’m doing God’s work?

When I read that post, something shifted in me. I realized that God made me how I am and who I am. I don’t need the recognition or applause. Is it nice to be honored for what you do? Absolutely. But know this, as cliché as it sounds, if no one else ever sees you, if no one else ever recognizes what you’re doing for the Kingdom, God does.

He sees the mama singing to her baby at 2:00 a.m. He sees her wipe feverish brows, and pack another lunch, and pick up one more pair of socks. He sees the Sunday School teachers that work all week and show up on Sunday mornings to try to influence little minds for Christ all while refereeing sword fights and wiping snotty noses. He sees the exhausted youth leaders that are sitting with thousands of screaming teenagers wondering if they’re “too old” for this (it’s me . . . I’m the old, exhausted youth leader). He sees the teachers and the nurses that get none of the credit but all of the blame for way too little pay. He sees the parents praying for their kids . . . sometimes messing up and apologizing and trying again. He sees you, and He sees me, and make no mistake, none of us are invisible to our Savior.

We are not entitled to recognition. We don’t deserve accolades. While we’re here getting upset if our air conditioning doesn’t hit the perfect temperature and the music is “too loud” or “not loud enough”, on the other side of the world Christians are literally risking their lives to worship Christ. They lay it all on the line every time they speak His name. They don’t do it for the applause of this world which is fickle and fading. They do it for the glory of God which is everlasting. It’s not about us y’all. It’s not about me. It’s only about Jesus Christ and Him crucified. All of the rest is just noise. Full stop. That’s it.

“Take care not to practice your righteousness in the sight of people, to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, so that they will be praised by people. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your charitable giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. And when you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they will be seen by people. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But as for you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:1-6