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Embracing Obscurity by Anonymous {Review and Giveaway}

January 27, 2013 by Jennifer Donovan

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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We moms are pretty obscure, the invisible hand making sure that clothes are clean, meals are cooked, and pantries are stocked. I think that most of us have come to terms with the fact that we just do what needs to be done without accolades or even thanks at times, especially if our children are very young. But because of that, I think we might seek out the spotlight somewhere else — in our job, or our work in the community or church, or in our blogging. But what would happen if we embraced that obscurity instead of striving to be recognized?

Embracing Obscurity: Becoming Nothing in Light of God’s Everything by Anonymous really puts his/her money where his/her mouth is. Well, I’m assuming the author got paid in money, but by remaining anonymous he/she sacrifices any personal benefit that being a published author would provide — personally, professionally etc. This is a bit of stumbling block at first, because there’s a lot of focus on it, and of course, there’s a curiosity that cannot be quenched about who really wrote this book. This is something that some can’t get over.

But for me, once I did get over it (well, sort of, I’m still extremely curious), I found Embracing Obscurity to be a practical and enlightening read. I’m not sure that that “obscurity” conveys the right message. It’s less about disappearing into the background — what I think of as obscurity — than about humbly accepting one’s place in God’s plan, accepting His complete sovereignty and authority, and putting others above yourself.

The author devotes individual chapters to such topics as

  • success
  • servanthood
  • significance
  • suffering
  • hope

Using scripture as well as the example of Jesus, the author helps us to see that obscurity isn’t such a bad thing after all. Putting others above myself (or just thinking about myself less in general) is something I’ve been trying to work on, and
Embracing Obscurity was a wonderful encouragement to me in this regard. It doesn’t mean giving up my dreams, or never speaking a word, or not being good at something. I can’t explain what it is exactly, but it’s basically about motivation.

Proverbs 15:33 Humility comes before honor.

If you’d like to win a copy of this book, please use the rafflecopter below, starting off by answering the question “What appeals to you about this book?”

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About Jennifer Donovan

Jennifer Donovan has been a part of the 5 Minutes for Mom team since 2007. She writes product reviews, covers events, and manages the 5 Minutes for Books weekly column and website. She lives in Houston and blogs at Snapshot about life with her family.

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20 Comments

  1. Tiffany O. says

    February 8, 2013 at 4:23 pm

    Focusing on God’s plan is something I think everyone stuggles with. That’s what appeals to me about this book.

    Reply
  2. Van says

    February 6, 2013 at 10:40 am

    Would enjoy reading this.

    Reply
  3. Brittany says

    February 4, 2013 at 8:58 pm

    Servanthood appeals to me, I need to dig into this. Thanks for the chance to win.

    Reply
  4. Jessica T says

    February 1, 2013 at 12:50 pm

    I love books that challenge my relationship with God

    Reply
  5. Don says

    February 1, 2013 at 11:02 am

    To be thankful for those in your life.

    Reply
  6. June says

    January 31, 2013 at 11:30 am

    That it has from meaningful messages for all of us to read.

    Reply
  7. Angela E. says

    January 30, 2013 at 10:29 am

    Maybe to help people think that their everyday problems are not that bad to begin with.

    Reply
  8. riTa says

    January 29, 2013 at 10:21 am

    My daughter is having a hard time facing her 40th birthday. She feels like a loser who has not accomplished what others have in life. I assure her that in God’s economy it does not look like that. Perhaps this book would help.

    Reply
  9. Suzie Williams says

    January 29, 2013 at 10:11 am

    The idea that the author chose not to have their name published with the book. I like that the book uses examples of Jesus (as well as scripture) because I think the world would really benefit if more people tried to be like Jesus.

    Reply
  10. Jennifer Stade says

    January 29, 2013 at 1:10 am

    It looks really interesting and I was just thinking about this topic in relation to matt 5:16

    Reply
  11. Daniel M says

    January 28, 2013 at 10:01 pm

    i try to stay under the radar don’t know why anyone would want to be famous

    Reply
  12. Liz says

    January 28, 2013 at 3:20 pm

    Revealing authorship would seem self-defeating so I can deal with not knowing.

    Reply
  13. Jennifer says

    January 28, 2013 at 3:13 pm

    I’ve never read a book written by Anonymous. It makes me very curious. And the subtitle draws me in completely.

    Reply
  14. kathy stevenson says

    January 28, 2013 at 1:26 pm

    I want to read the chapters on suffering and hope.

    Reply
  15. anne says

    January 28, 2013 at 12:43 pm

    The topic is fascinating and how it is written.

    Reply
  16. Beth Stabley says

    January 28, 2013 at 10:04 am

    The subtitle of this book, “Becoming Nothing in Light of God’s Everything”, is what really appealed to me about this book. I know I focus too often on getting credit or praise for what I do, instead of letting God get the glory.

    Reply
  17. Lori says

    January 28, 2013 at 9:49 am

    This appeals to me because I find it a struggle to not make myself the center – it gets easier the more we practice putting Him first.

    Reply
  18. Melissa P. says

    January 28, 2013 at 8:51 am

    What appeals to me about this book is not knowing exactly what I will find.

    Reply
  19. Chelsea says

    January 28, 2013 at 12:49 am

    I love that this book could be a piece to my puzzle of becoming a better Disciple of Jesus.

    Reply
  20. Ally says

    January 27, 2013 at 11:12 pm

    What appeals to me about this, is that the author exemplifies exactly what the content of the book is about… selflessness. BUT not the burning matyr variety that lets everyone know exactly how selfless you’re being and how grateful they should be for your selflessness. No, the true selflessness that comes from acknowledging Jesus first, Others next, You last of all (what a wonderful way to spell JOY!) None of self and all of Thee.

    Reply

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