Nowadays everyone wants to be seen. As Michaela Coel put its: “visibility these days seems to somehow equate to success”. A lot of us are no longer content to do great things in life; we want to be seen doing great things. Otherwise, is it really that great? As social media continues to evolve, it’s become a lot easier to orchestrate your own elevation — even before you are ready. Even before you have developed the heart for the elevation.
I recently learnt that when you are exposed to higher altitude activities like skiing, hiking or climbing, your heart works harder as there is a lower level of oxygen. In fact, “heart rate can be affected any time a person travels to an elevation higher than they are accustomed to” (Livestrong.com). To operate at an elevation, your heart needs time to acclimatise and this can happen in a matter of two weeks. For those who do not acclimatise to the elevation, they may experience altitude sickness – “headaches, nausea, sleep problems and swelling” (Livestrong.com).
This biological fact usefully illustrates the dangers of being elevated with an unequipped heart. A heart that has not acclimatised to the elevation will struggle to take in the oxygen needed to sustain life. Therefore, it can literally cost you your life to be elevated before your heart is ready. And if not, then it may show up as “altitude sickness” – anxiety, discontentment, loneliness – the list can go on.
We know that Jesus lived in anonymity until He was 30 years old. Before this, we do not hear about his life apart from his birth and then again at 12 years old (Luke 2:42). He lived in anonymity and this gave Him time to grow in ‘wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people’ (Luke 2:52). This growth was necessary for the work He would go on to do. This growth meant that when He did begin His public ministry at 30 years old (Luke 3:23), He remained focused on why He came to the earth. Even at moments when His miracles elevated him to the point that the people wanted to crown him as their king, Jesus had the heart to say no (John 6:14-15).
This is the mark of a successful life.
Jesus was elevated for a purpose and He thrived in the higher altitude because He had developed the heart to fulfill the purpose. Instead of settling for a position as an early king, He stayed focused on his “why?” and earned His rightful place as the King of Kings through his death and resurrection. This is the mark of a successful life.
Jesus’ public ministry lasted only 3 years, yet the Bible is a testament of what can be done when you have the heart for the elevation. Because Jesus had heart, the elevation didn’t make Him forget who He is. The elevation didn’t make Him do miracles for validation. The elevation certainly didn’t make Him move in pride. Instead, Jesus always moved in response to the Father, whether or not it impressed the people.
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God
Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)
Don’t despise the days of anonymity – it’s where the heart is developed
It’s a wonderful thing to have a gift that makes room for you and brings you before great people. In other words, the gift elevates you. But how will you respond to the elevation? Will you use the elevation for the reason it was given? Will you maintain your identity? When you don’t have the heart for a higher altitude, it may result in altitude sickness or even death. So, it’s better to take the time necessary to acclimatise to the new heights even if that means living in anonymity for a little longer.
Besides, who says that Jesus wasn’t already going about ‘doing good’ (Acts 10:38) even before His public ministry. He just wasn’t seen going about doing good during this time. But just because your good works are not public does not make it any less effectual. Becoming public is simply a continuation of what you have been doing in anonymity and a test of whether or not you have the heart for the elevation.
The elevation will either make you or break you. Don’t despise the days of anonymity – it’s where the heart is developed.
Do not be afraid to disappear. From it. From us. For a while. and see what comes to you in the silence.
Michaela Coel
Further reading
Redefining Success 
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