Day 20: Resurrecting Your Passion to Serve— The Sacredness of Unseen Sacrifice

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.

-Mark 10:45 (NLT)

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

-John 15:13 (NLT)

As Christians, we read these verses with great excitement! Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice so we could be reconciled with God. Though extreme, His suffering and death were not in vain; they were necessary for the salvation of mankind. His pain brought our healing, and His death gave us life. We rightly rejoice in His victory, knowing it was all worth it.

As leaders, we often long for the same purpose: to be a part of something bigger than ourselves and to leave a legacy that will outlast our time on Earth. But in our pursuit of that grand impact, we can easily miss the power of the small, the unseen, and the local sacrifices that make an eternal difference.

Consider the story of Lazarus in John 11. We often focus on the miracle—Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. We marvel at Mary and Martha’s faith, Jesus revealing His humanity through weeping, and ultimately His power in bringing life from death. But there’s a detail we often overlook: Jesus risked His life for this one person.

But his disciples objected. "Rabbi," they said, "only a few days ago the people in Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?"

-John 11:8 (NLT)

Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus."

-John 11:16 (NLT)

Jesus knew He was walking into danger. His disciples knew it, too. Yet, for the sake of one soul, Lazarus, Jesus went.

Was it worth it?

Should Jesus have stayed focused on the “big picture”?
From our perspective, it's easy to say “yes." After all, Jesus didn’t die that day. But the risk was real from their perspective at that moment.

This tension still exists for us today. Many of us feel called to make a global impact or fulfill a grand purpose. But along the way, we may be tempted to dismiss the “Lazarus” moments—those local, small, personal sacrifices that feel insignificant in the bigger picture. We may think, “What’s the point?” or “No one sees the effort anyway.”

But here’s the truth: unseen sacrifice is a service to God and for God.

Embracing the Sacredness of the Unseen

Let’s explore how we can resurrect our passion to serve, even when it feels like our sacrifices are overlooked or small:

1. Serve the Lord.

Our willingness to serve others must be rooted in a deep, personal relationship with God. When we truly love God, we’ll love His people and desire to see every person fulfill their God-given potential, no matter how unnoticed our role in that process might be.

2. Serve for the Lord.

Colossians 3:17 reminds us that whatever we do should be done as a representative of Christ. In the Marine Corps, we are reminded that we are Marines 24/7. Similarly, Christian leaders are “on duty” at all times. We are called to reflect Christ in our service, speech, leadership, and lifestyle, even when we think no one is watching.

3. Meet the local need.

It’s easy to feel paralyzed by the magnitude of global issues, such as poverty, war, and injustice. But don’t wait for the perfect moment or massive platform. Don’t fall into the “If I had X, then I would do Y” trap. Instead, ask: What need is right in front of me? What resources are already within my reach? Don’t wait, act. Obedience starts at ground level.

4. Take the first step.

Jesus didn’t hesitate when His disciples voiced their fears. He moved with confidence, empathy, and purpose. He acted, and others followed. Our miracles often begin the same way: with a step of faith that prioritizes people over comfort and mission over fear and apprehension.

Today’s Challenge:

Think about the “Lazarus” in your life—the person, place, or problem that feels small compared to your long-term vision but is right in front of you.
What would it look like to embrace that opportunity with the same sacrificial love Jesus demonstrated?

Your service might not get a spotlight or make headlines, but it will reflect Christ.
That is always worth it.