The great artist Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling in the Vatican. It took several years and included 400 figures and 9 scenes!

A friend noticed all the details Michelangelo was putting into the corners of the chapel ceiling—corners that were incredibly far away and therefore difficult for the naked eye to see.

“No one will ever see them,” he said. In response Michelangelo replied, “God will.”

Do you think no one sees, notices, or appreciates all the faithful work you do? In your house, at the office, with your family, in a special project, or at school?

God does.

In Ecclesiastes 3:13, the writer observes how people can “find satisfaction in all their toil,” and that this is “the gift of God.” Since we can understand our daily work as a gift from God, it motivates and encourages us because he’s the one we’re primarily doing it for!

That’s why there is meaning in the minutia. It’s an expression coined by my wife, Laura. (Nice one, honey!) There is meaning in the minutia because as we think, live and work, we do so with the brains, muscles and hearts given to us by Almighty God himself.

Do you think no one sees, notices, or appreciates all the faithful work you do? In your house, at the office, with your family, in a special project, or at school?

Not so fast. God does. And he’s the one who matters most.

By Matthew Ruttan

–Bible quotes from the NIV.