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Devotional Making Disciples

Obscurity

Obscurity marks journeys of the faithful. 

Not planned, necessarily. 

Or wanted. 

But purposeful in the work and way of the Lord. 

Obscurity. Image by Daniel Burka on Unsplash.

Alone

Moses. Herding sheep for forty years on the back side of the wilderness. Alone. At the foot of Desolation (Horeb). (Exodus 3)

David. Not around when Samuel came to his father’s home. But out in the fields. Watching over the family flock. Protecting them from lions and bears. (1 Samuel 17:34-36)

Paul. Away in Arabia and Damascus. Arid places. For three years. (Galatians 1:16-18)

John. In exile on the isle of Patmos. (Revelation 1)

Obscurity

Obscurity can look like anonymity, at times. In city or wilderness. Toiling unknown and unnamed.

Away from the noise and distraction of being in the limelight. In demand. Or in charge.

And putting us in position to seek His face and listen to His Word. 

Readying hearts

Readying hearts.

To see the burning bush and hear the voice of God.

To grow in close relationship with the Lord through dependence on Him in lonely places. Leading to honest heart cries. And songs of praise.

To draw close to Christ. Deepen roots in His truth. Gain wisdom for future ministry.

And in the place of exile, see His glory. 

For a purpose

Embrace obscurity when it comes along on the path with God. 

Trust the One who sees. And knows what each one needs. 

He leads us. 

In silence and shadow. Beside still waters and through deep valleys.

For a purpose.

His.

What about you?

What have you learned in the place of obscurity? What has that looked like in your walk with God?

Related posts

Trust in the LordPlaceWildernessNaming placesSpeechlessHigherSilence – 

Exodus 31 Samuel 17:34-36 Galatians 1:16-18Revelation 1 Psalm 23 – 

6 replies on “Obscurity”

I have been reading the Israelites journey from Egypt. It must have been very hard and strange. No wonder they sometimes longed for Egypt & familiarity.
But I don’t want to go back to what used to be, I am overwhelmed by God’s love and blessings and His plan is so much better than my wildest dreams.
He knows my name. THAT IS MY CONFIDENCE!

Thank you for this, I think of the tens of thousands of unknown, unnamed brothers and sisters laboring faithfully in obscurity…their sacrifices, their successes never seen…oh but there’s such joy in knowing that as they namelessly labor in obscurity, they are bringing glory to the only Name that matters – the Name above all names!

Amen, sister! Thank you for sharing. No greater joy than knowing this! Remembering these brothers and sisters, I’m reminded today of the words of Jesus in John 12:26–“If anyone serves me, he must follow me. Where I am, there my servant also will be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” No greater honor!

Like Moses who ended up in the desert after killing an Egyptian, I found myself on what felt like the back side of no where !after I was cocky with God. I learned a great deal in those five years of obscurity. And when the lessons had been learned, God moved me out of obscurity to a position to learn more lessons. After almost 5 years in that role, God opened another door of service. And though I was definitely not in obscurity, there were still lessons to be learned behind the scenes. Even when one is in public roles, we all need moments out of the limelight. Obscurity can be a place of healing and learning, and the growth can be greater when we embrace it rather than resent it. Og Mandino’s book “The Choice” was most helpful during my obscurity years.

I would love to hear from you!

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