Obscurity

In 1968 a statement was attributed to Andy Warhol, “We live in an age where each of us is seeking our fifteen minutes of fame.”   Little did he know what was coming.  Whether it’s ‘hits’, ‘tweets’, ‘comments’, ‘likes’ or the number of ‘friends’ you claim, each of us has the potential to thrust our thoughts, accomplishments, talent (or lack thereof) before a world-wide audience.  And yet, not everyone takes advantage of pursuing such fame.  

Everyone has enjoyed some aspect of this brave new world, and I will confess that I enjoy a smattering of entertainment that the internet provides.  Some of my favorites are clips from old TV shows, series of posts about Border Collies demonstrating their intelligence, and the amazing skill of a few on “America’s Got Talent”. Much of it is meant as pure entertainment, but the temptation to thrust your personal thoughts and images before a watching world should be examined closely.

Many of you not only avoid such exposure but  actually abhor the behavior of so many who seek the heights of acclaim and celebrity status.  In the world of job-seekers, the website Linkedin encourages multiple connections and networking.  A good profile will get you noticed and may even bring your resume to the surface of the pile on a recruiter’s desk.  I question, though, the users that broadcast their unemployment plight before the world.  That borders on desperation.

But I need guidance in this still relatively new age of voyeurism and self-aggrandizement.  Like anyone, I want to be known for who I really am and  receive recognition for my achievements.  But why, and at what expense?  What’s at the root of such drive?  Is it possible to live in relative obscurity and yet be fulfilled in all aspects of life?

To answer these questions, I have been observing the life of perhaps the most famous person to have ever lived: Jesus Christ.  Two thousand years after his life, death and resurrection, he is still a common figure in most cultures.  His followers believe that he pre-existed this universe and at a particular point in history, entered it in the form of a baby to poor parents.  This would not have been the plan of any promotional company.  His obscurity even bothered his own brothers and sisters who criticized him for not being more public, “No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” (John 7:4)  Jesus counters this elsewhere with his own philosophy in Mark 9:35, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

The prophecies concerning Jesus in Isaiah 53 speak of him as appearing very ordinary, “There was nothing attractive about him, nothing to cause us to take a second look”.  And the foreshadowing of his triumphal entry into Jerusalem predicted this in Zechariah 9:9, “See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

Many times Jesus did a miraculous healing, and he encouraged the person not to broadcast it to the world.  When the disciples came back from preaching the gospel to surrounding towns, they were so excited to see the power of God working through them.  Jesus responds to them by saying, “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

It would appear that Jesus shunned popularity.  He demonstrated power through his character and actions.  I suppose I could conclude that his strength and self-confidence came through the fact that he knew who he was.  He depended upon his relationship with the Father, and at the end of his ministry on earth, he was glad to pass on the next phase of his plan to the Holy Spirit.  Can we learn something from his willingness to live in obscurity?

Principles:

1. Any gifts, strengths or talents that we have come from God.
2. Our security comes not from fame or recognition but from a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
3. If what we do and think has value, God will see to it that others will find out about it.
4. The temptation to receive quick rewards through self-exaltation may bring immediate, but temporary satisfaction.  e.g. How many likes will I get to this blog post?  But a life dedicated to biblical values will bring ultimate satisfaction.
5. The Apostle Paul in Philippians 4, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”  And 1 Timothy 6, “ But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

My aim in this study is to become comfortable with obscurity.  Is it not enough to know that I am loved by my heavenly Father, to be content with what I have and to use whatever talents I have in His service?   It’s certainly counter-cultural.  But that puts me in good company with many godly men and women, and of course, Jesus.   

I recently viewed Rick Steve’s (Travel writer) exposé of Francis of Assisi.  Francis sought to serve God in obscurity and invited others to follow him.  He preached to the birds, certainly not thinking that this would get him notoriety and acclaim.   He seemed to have learned contentment regardless of the circumstances.  And yet, today, the town has turned into a place of pilgrimage, complete with the ability to purchase a Francis doll to take home with you.  Hrrmmph!  Somehow, I don’t think he would be happy about this development.  

The character and life of the great nineteenth-century Christian soldier General Charles Gordon, sometimes known as “Chinese Gordon” or “Gordon of Khartoum,” is a striking example of finding this contentment. In his book on the recapture of Sudan, Winston Churchill described General Gordon as “a man careless alike of the frowns of men or the smiles of women, of life or comfort, wealth or fame.”

General Charles Gordon, peerless military strategist, legendary commander, and mostly all-conquering victor, lived so closely before the Audience of One that when his time came he had only a short step home. Like all for whom God’s call is decisive, it could be said of him, “I live before the Audience of One. Before others I have nothing to prove, nothing to gain, nothing to lose.”

*To read the full article: “The Audience of One” go to: https://www.cru.org/us/en/train-and-grow/spiritual-growth/the-audience-of-one.html