If Your Job Feels Meaningless

There’s this moment in Acts 6 that’s easy to miss, but it says something really important about how God sees you, and how you can start seeing yourself.

Revival was breaking out. People were coming to Jesus by the thousands. Momentum. Movement. 

But with all that growth came very real, practical needs—like making sure widows were being fed and cared for. The disciples were doing everything they could, but they were stretched thin. They needed help.

Now here’s what’s easy to overlook — when the disciples started choosing people to meet those needs, they didn’t say, “Just grab whoever’s available.” Listen to what they actually said: “Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.” (Acts 6:3)

That’s the job description for food distribution —not for preaching or teaching, but for handing out meals to people in need.

One of the seven they chose? Stephen. And here’s how Scripture describes him, “Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit... full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.” (Acts 6:5, 8)

Stephen was full of wisdom, faith, the Holy Spirit, power, and grace. He wasn’t just gifted—he was overflowing. And God’s assignment for him in that moment? Serve food. Not on a stage. Not in the spotlight. Just quiet, faithful, Spirit-filled service.

This should convict us.

It’s easy to start thinking certain roles carry more value. That if you’re not leading something, building something, or being seen, then maybe you’re missing it. But Stephen didn’t see it that way. He didn’t say, “Don’t you know how anointed I am? I’m too important for this.” He just served. Because to him, serving was sacred.

That mindset? It’s rare. But it’s what the Kingdom is built on.

Even Peter—Jesus’ close friend—struggled with comparison. After Jesus reinstated him, Peter immediately turned around and asked, “But what about John?” He was still measuring his story against someone else’s. And Jesus told him, “What is that to you? You follow me.” (John 21:22)

Comparison will always do that. It keeps us distracted. Divided. Discontent. It makes us resent what’s in your hands instead of stewarding it. And maybe even more dangerously, it can lead us to step into something God never asked us to carry.

Here’s what’s true: we don’t have the grace to walk in someone else’s calling. God didn’t give us someone else’s assignment —He gave you yours. And the grace you need — the strength, the peace, the provision — is all tied to his grace, not your ambition.

When we try to force our way into someone else’s story, we will feel tired, frustrated, and out of place; not because we’re not gifted, but because we’re not graced for that road.

But what do you have?

Something sacred. Something entrusted to you. Something that may feel small, but in the hands of God, carries eternal weight.

So, let me ask you: have you been downplaying what’s in your hands? Have you looked at someone else’s life and assumed yours doesn’t matter as much?

Prayer

Jesus, thank You that nothing is wasted in Your Kingdom. Help me stop measuring my worth by what others are doing. Give me eyes to see my assignment as sacred, whether big or small, visible or hidden. Teach me to serve with joy, bless without envy, and walk faithfully in what You’ve given me. Amen.

Reflection

This week, ask God to help you see your current role, whatever it is, as holy ground. Serve like Stephen did, with joy, with heart, with heaven’s perspective. And if someone else gets the thing you were hoping for? Bless them. Cheer them on. Ask God how you can use your gifts to support and uplift instead of comparing yourself to them, because sometimes the most powerful ministry isn’t on the platform. It’s in the hidden places. And more often than not, that’s where God is doing His deepest work—both in the world, and in you.