REJECTED, OR REDIRECTED?
Greetings church family!
“You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there's still going to be somebody who hates peaches.”
– Dita Von Teese
Rejection is one of the toughest experiences in life to endure. Whether you are turned down after asking someone out on a date, ignored for a promotion at your job, or your card is declined at the grocery store checkout, no one enjoys the feeling of not being welcomed or accepted.
Abraham Lincoln knew rejection. In 1858 the Illinois legislature—using an obscure statute—sent Stephen A. Douglas to the U.S. Senate instead of Abraham Lincoln, although Lincoln had won the popular vote. When a sympathetic friend asked Lincoln how he felt, he said, “Like the boy who stubbed his toe: I am too big to cry and too badly hurt to laugh.”
Steven Spielberg knew rejection. In 1965, Spielberg applied to the USC film school He was rejected because an admissions officer deemed his C level grade average too low. He tried again and got rejected again. This is Steven Spielberg we’re talking about — the most notable filmmaker of the 70’s and 80’s. Even after a third and final attempt, Spielberg was denied admission.
Our Lord and Savior definitely knew rejection. John 1:10-11 says, “He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.” Isaiah 53:3 says, “He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.”
We should also take note of something else. Abraham Lincoln eventually became president, and is considered by many to be the greatest American president. Steven Spielberg went on to become one of the greatest film directors to ever live. And Jesus turned rejection into resurrection, changing the destiny of human history forever - from death to life. Praise God!!
It may be helpful to take the time to grieve your rejection experiences. It is often helpful to self-reflect on things you can do differently in the future. However, do not let rejection keep you from dusting yourself off and moving forward. You may find your experience to be similar to that of Steve Maraboli, who says “Every time I thought I was being rejected from something good, I was actually being redirected to something better.”
Be encouraged church family, and never lose sight of the truth that God is for you, God is with you, and God loves you!
Pastor Chris
