The premise of this book is that we are each one in 7 billion. That doesn't mean we are insignificant, only that our obscurity can serve God's purposes just as another person's fame can. This is something to ponder in a culture where people will do almost anything to get their face on TV for a moment and will consider that "face time" more significant than years spent serving their families and communities.
Most of Jesus' years on earth—thirty years out of thirty-three—were lived in obscurity. He was a dutiful son, a carpenter, and a worshipper of God. Even in his three years of what we would call full-time ministry, he did not seek out fame. Instead he embraced the life of sacrifice among a persecuted minority in the oppressive Roman Empire. Although God in the flesh, He "made Himself of no reputation." See Philippians chapter 2 for a fuller exposition of Jesus' voluntary obscurity.
Humility is a virtue greatly undervalued today. It is time for us as God's people to truly be more like Jesus in this respect.
I received a free advanced reader copy of Embracing Obscurity B&H Publishing Group. This book is also available as a Kindle edition.
No comments:
Post a Comment