It was one of those weeks. The kind where you pour everything you’ve got into something—your time, your heart, your energy, and the response is… underwhelming. We were in a season of giving, one of those “all-hands-on-deck” ministry moments. And to be honest, it wasn’t going the way I had hoped.
That night I went home pretty discouraged, and I told my wife, Donna, “This is not a lot of fun!” But I knew in my heart it was time to tell myself again, “We can only do what we can do, and we clearly have to give God the rest.”
Maybe you’ve felt that before. You serve faithfully, give sacrificially, speak encouragement, go the extra mile—and the results just don’t show up.
When You Reach the End of Yourself
That night, I could’ve made more calls, strategized harder, tried to crank the gears and force some momentum. But instead, I chose something different.
As soon as I got out of the way, God got to work.
I said, “God, whatever happens, this is Yours. I’m not going to manipulate. I’m not going to try to turn any cranks in any particular direction.”
And wouldn’t you know it? As soon as I got out of the way, God got to work.
I came in the next day with a surrendered heart, and by the end of the week, it was as if the floodgates opened. God moved. Not because we worked harder, but because we finally let Him lead.
That was a good reminder for me—and maybe it’s one you need today too.
The Lie that Giving Always Feels Good
We live in a world that runs on instant feedback. We post something and wait for likes. We volunteer and hope for thanks. We give and wonder when the return will show up.
Sometimes you give—and it looks like nothing’s happening. You give your time, your money, your energy, and on the outside, it feels like silence. No recognition. No breakthrough. And you don’t see any visible reward.
But that doesn’t mean nothing is happening. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires” (NLT).
I remember comparing this to grilling a hamburger. You know how it can look done on the outside, but inside it’s raw? That’s why you take the thermometer and check the internal temperature.
God’s Word pierces past the surface of our lives and goes straight to the core of what’s really happening.
And that’s what the Word of God does in our lives. It pierces past the surface and goes straight to the core of what’s really happening. It shows us—and God—what’s truly going on inside.
So even when nothing seems to be moving externally, God is still working internally. He’s not just looking at your results, He’s looking at your intentions, the motives of your heart.
Changing the Question
For years I wore this little wristband—the one that says, “One Thing.” Maybe you’ve seen it. When I first put it on, I’d ask myself each morning: “What’s one thing I can do today that will make the biggest impact?”
That sounds good, right? But over time, I realized that even that question was about me—my impact, my strategy, my plans. So I changed the question. Now, every morning when I put it on, I ask: “Randy, what one thing will you do today that will bring pleasure to Christ?” That’s a completely different question.
Ephesians 5:10 says, “Figure out what will please Christ and do it” (MSG). That verse shifted everything. It moved me from asking, “How can I make a difference?” to “How can I bring Him joy?”
Faithfulness First. Feelings Later.
So let me ask you: what’s your one thing today?
- Maybe it’s forgiving someone who hurt you.
- Maybe it’s doing the next right thing in your finances or health.
- Maybe it’s giving to a ministry, even when your budget is tight.
- Maybe it’s praying for someone who doesn’t even know you’re interceding.
Whatever it is—do it for Him.
Figure out what pleases Christ. And then do it.
- Even if no one notices.
- Even if it’s hard.
- Even if you don’t feel like it.
Because God doesn’t always show up on our timeline—but He is always faithful.
You keep sowing. He will bring the harvest.
When You Give and Nothing Happens… Keep Going
To those of you serving in silence, giving when it hurts, and wondering if any of it matters, it does. You may not see the impact today. But when you serve from a surrendered heart, when you give not for applause but for obedience, you bring pleasure to Christ.
And that is the highest outcome of all.
Why Be Intentional?
Positive life change doesn’t happen by accident. When you choose to live with purpose, everything shifts—your faith, your relationships, your priorities. Want to know what’s possible when you start living intentionally? Find out here and explore how membership can help you live the life God intended.
