Priests are at their best when we don’t notice them. The moment we begin to notice, we become wary. When he or she, whether laity of clergy, pretends to do God’s work for us, an alarm sounds. There have been thousands upon thousands of good priests whose names we will never know; their anonymity suggests their authenticity.
Eugene Peterson, The Jesus Way, 226. (See quote from the same chapter.)
Ted M. Gossard
I am not convinced that either anonymity or recognition matters to the authenticity of a servant of God. Sincere obedience does, so when one “pretends” to do God’s work, then an alarm should sound! But fame need not preclude humility and honest obedience to God.
I’m sure Peterson would agree with you actually. because he does mention Samuel in that context. I think he’s making what I think is a valid and important point: that the Rick Warren’s and Mama K’s of the world minister and serve in a way that does not call people’s attention to themselves, but to their Lord. And that such are willing and even desirous to be unnoticed that God’s true work would go on in the world. But that when people are talking about how great so and so is, then perhaps there is the problem Peterson is referring to here. Of course we hold in high esteem those who walk in the steps of the Savior, who himself was not impressive in the world’s eyes, but was indeed great in God’s eyes.