A VOW OF OBSCURITY
Kendra Intihar
Today's Scripture: “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10, ESV
Theme: Our struggle to devote ourselves to God’s commands is more than just lack of surrendering ourselves; it is also that we fear what people around us will think.
ACCESSORIES
When I was little, one of my favorite things about getting a new Barbie doll was the little accessories that came with her. A big pink brush, an extra pair of high heels, a gym bag. The “Cut and Style Barbie” in the early 90s, though, came with an accessory you don’t normally find with a Barbie doll: scissors! Children everywhere snipped Barbie’s hair into butchered bobs until the novelty wore off, and all they were left with was a nearly bald Barbie and a pair of dull scissors.
We all have features of our personality that come packaged up with both good and bad “bonus accessories.” I am a people-pleaser. I have lived my entire life wanting to make sure that everyone in the room approves of me. This particular characteristic comes with a lot of good “accessories,” including empathy, creative problem-solving, and the ability to read people well. It also comes with its share of “dull scissors,” the worst of which is that I tend to elevate the good opinion of others on a pedestal so high that it competes with (or even outweighs) God’s opinion.
I MUST BECOME LESS
Because of my people-pleasing tendencies, I have often found myself daydreaming about “God’s plan for my life” and whether that includes recognition for the gifts and talents He has given me. In other words, fame and renown. Last week, I heard a concept that I can’t stop thinking about: Taking a “vow of obscurity.” Of course, I’d heard of a “vow of poverty,” where people give up their worldly possessions to avoid the temptation of materialism. Or a “vow of silence,” where people give up speaking for a period of time to draw closer to Christ. But “vow of obscurity” was new to me. Instead of avoiding the temptation of materialism or the urge to speak, its goal is to avoid the temptation of fame.
Whew. In a culture whose constant refrain is that we all need a goal of doing big, important, world-changing things, what if our best counter-cultural move as Jesus-followers is to use our gifts for the glory of the Lord and the furthering of His Kingdom and purposes? What if we decided that having our name recognized was far less important than making it our daily business to honor God with our time, talent, and treasure—and not to receive honor ourselves? What if we, like John said, “He must become greater; I must become less”? (John 3:30, NIV).
Make it Personal: When Jesus was in the wilderness, Satan offered Him power through three different temptations: 1) The temptation to wield economic power (turning stones into bread and satisfying physical needs – at the expense of the Gospel message, which satisfies our spiritual needs); 2) the temptation to wield religious power (signs and wonders at the expense of trusting God’s provision); 3) the temptation to wield political power (all the earthly nations and empires at the expense of God’s Kingdom). Instead of embracing power that would compromise God’s plan, Jesus said, “Away from me, Satan, for it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only’” (Matthew 4:10, NIV).
Jesus wasn’t interested in power and prestige. He came as a servant, not to be served (Mark 10:45). It's a high bar to behave like Jesus, but that’s our vocation. “Whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked” (1 John 2:26, ESV). Let’s lay down our temptations to people-pleasing and recognition-chasing, and instead vow to use the gifts and resources God has given us for His purposes and not for our own.
Pray: God, I admit that I am consumed with what others think of me. Thank You for reminding me today that my aim is not to please others but to please You. Help me not be conformed to the recognition-seeking pattern of this world, but transform me into someone who seeks only to serve You and the people You’ve placed in my path. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Read: Romans 12:1-2; Psalm 19:14; 1 Thessalonians 2:4; Matthew 4:3-10
Weekly Memory Verse: “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” Proverbs 29:25, ESV