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Wednesday, May 15, 2013

The Reluctant Unknown

Jesus lived 90% of His life in complete obscurity. 
The Bible says almost nothing about Him until He began His ministry at 30, and He died at 33.
How could the Son of God, the coming Savior, go unnoticed for so long?

I think I know why:
He made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.--Philippians 2:7
He did exactly the opposite of what we normally do. He knew what He had to do, melted into His appointed place, and did it. Without fanfare. Content to go without credit.
When He turned water into wine at Cana, He didn't want any notice:
Dear woman, why do you involve me? My time has not yet come.--John 2:4
When He healed the leper, He told him:
Don't tell anyone but go, show yourself to the priest...Luke 5:14
When He was tempted, He did it alone.
When He suffered at Gethsamane, He did it alone.

Jesus did not need an audience.
Why do I?

I want to matter. I want notice, credit for what I do. I want to be recognized, known.
I am vain.
I count the hits on my blog. I wait with anticipation for comments.
"Oh, they like me..." I think.
Significance. The unquenchable thirst.

Like drunkenness and gluttony, vanity drugs me into overindulgence, and I disappear beneath its insistent desire:
All man's efforts are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied.--Ecclesiastes 6:7

There is only one solution. I must remember who I am. God does.
...He know how we are formed. He remembers that we are dust.--Psalm 103:14

Dust. I am dust before God. He made me and any vanity I have before Him makes me ridiculous.
I must expect no notice, crave no attention.
Instead, I must bathe in the attention of God alone, trust Him for all satisfaction, thank Him for every comfort, and honor Him for His glory.
And, as a result, I will probably be alone a lot, too.

8 comments:

  1. We are not alone if we are with God.
    God Bless you!!

    Happy WW

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  2. Your words mirror my thoughts at times. It is very human to want the acceptance and recognition of other humans. It makes us feel significant and makes our mundane lives seem more special. It takes a close walk with God to keep our egos at bay. Jesus made it a priority to stay close and connected to God. I think he spent a lot of time alone for just that purpose. You're right. We have to remember who we are and what matters, and be content to stay grounded in that truth. Thanks for such an honest and convicting post.

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    Replies
    1. We do have a strong desire for significance, that's for sure. And remembering who we are compared to God, well, that should keep us humble, which is our proper state. Not easy or pleasant, but right.

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  3. Jesus, give us grace to make YOU look good, not us.

    And by your power alone. Amen.

    Great write as usual, friend.

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  4. As long as our eyes are on Him, we know we have an audience of ONE, the ONE, then we are headed in the right direction.

    Great word, great example of how he handled His fame.

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    Replies
    1. Maybe that's why I don't have any fame...I would never handle it properly. Protection.

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  5. I can really relate to this feeling of wanting to be noticed, to be special. I've longed for it my entire life it seems. This is another great reminder to me that all I need is HIM...no one else! Great post!
    One of your SDG sisters!
    Margo@Legacy of a Single Girl

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    Replies
    1. You are not alone, sister, that's for sure. Someone notable (I forget who) once said that the search for significance was one of the most common human traits. Based on my own experience, there is more than a grain of truth in that. Maybe that's why godly character emphasizes humility so much. We truly are wonderfully made, but it pays to remember what we look like next to God's perfection...

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