reject rēject — vb: to throw out as useless or worthless; discard
So many times, I have asked, "God, what is it about me that I can be so easily discarded, so easily forgotten?" I have often wondered what is it that I'm lacking? That one thing that would make someone realize I was worth holding on to. Worth an investment or the time to get to know the person I really am on the inside. Or do they see that person on the inside and that is the person that repels others. Clearly, my love life has been disasterous, but relationships just do not come easily to me, romantic or not. It is as if I'm right in the middle of the crowd, but yet, I don't really fit.
Sometimes, rejection is God-ordained. Remember the story of Moses and the Isrealites. In Exodus 4:21, the Lord tells Moses he would do all of these miracles and wonders, "but I will make him [Pharaoh] stubborn and harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go." Now why would He do that? Later in the story, the Lord explains, "Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you--so that my wonders may be multiplied in Egypt." Aahh...so you mean, God has a plan? Yes, He does. We can be so stubborn and pursue our own agendas or pick out the people we want to surround ourselves with, but we forget to ask God to bring the people He wants in our lives. People that will add not take away. People who need us or people who can be a help to us. God brings about these things that He might be glorified. Yes, He can be glorified even in our relationships with one another! Haven't you ever had someone in your life that you love to discuss the Bible with? Or you can't wait to call that person and say, "let me tell you what the Lord did for me today!"
Other times, we may lose relationships because of sin whether that sin be ours or the sin of another person. Sin can bring division and it can distort and complicate what would be a very simple, very good situation. In the case of another's sin, the loss of a relationship can bring freedom to you. Freedom from consequences, freedom from prolonged hurt, freedom from disaster in some cases. If it is your own sin that brought demise to relationships, know this. If you repent, He is faithful to restore. I have watched Him take so many things that were meant to destroy me and turn them around for my good just as He did for Joseph. I encourage you to read his story. He was rejected by his own brothers and countless others in his journey, but he recognized God's hand at work in his life. Joseph told his brothers, "As for you, you thought evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are this day." (Genesis 50:20)
We also have to figure out if what we are feeling is even accurate. There have been so many times that I felt rejected by a person or a situation and it just was not true. The enemy stepped in and took something innocent and twisted it in my mind to torment me and to bring division. I regret to say, it worked. 1 Peter 5:8 warns us to "Stay alert and pay attention. There's an enemy out there."
Many years ago, a prophetess, Ms. Connie Williams, came to the church I attended. She called me to the front and said, "The Lord says, 'You feel like you don't fit in with those around you. The truth is, you don't really fit. For I have made you different. I have set you apart.'" I am now reminded of Deuteronomy 14:2: "For you are a holy people [set apart] to the Lord your God; and the Lord has chosen you to be a peculiar people to Himself..." Ms. Williams began to then tell what she saw as far as the ministry I would walk in. So then, of course, my question is...how can I have a ministry with people if they don't accept me?
Well now, let's think...whose ministry was more powerful than anyone who has or will walk the face of this earth? Wasn't He rejected numerous times and continues to be rejected despite the fact He proves himself day by day and moment by moment? Luke 17:24-25 "For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. "
The Scriputure provides us with many examples of rejection. One of my favorites is the story of Paul and Barnabas. I refer you to Acts 13:50-52:
Wow! So there's your answer? Whatever the reason for the rejection It's time to shake the dust off your feet and be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit!
So many times, I have asked, "God, what is it about me that I can be so easily discarded, so easily forgotten?" I have often wondered what is it that I'm lacking? That one thing that would make someone realize I was worth holding on to. Worth an investment or the time to get to know the person I really am on the inside. Or do they see that person on the inside and that is the person that repels others. Clearly, my love life has been disasterous, but relationships just do not come easily to me, romantic or not. It is as if I'm right in the middle of the crowd, but yet, I don't really fit.
Sometimes, rejection is God-ordained. Remember the story of Moses and the Isrealites. In Exodus 4:21, the Lord tells Moses he would do all of these miracles and wonders, "but I will make him [Pharaoh] stubborn and harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go." Now why would He do that? Later in the story, the Lord explains, "Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you--so that my wonders may be multiplied in Egypt." Aahh...so you mean, God has a plan? Yes, He does. We can be so stubborn and pursue our own agendas or pick out the people we want to surround ourselves with, but we forget to ask God to bring the people He wants in our lives. People that will add not take away. People who need us or people who can be a help to us. God brings about these things that He might be glorified. Yes, He can be glorified even in our relationships with one another! Haven't you ever had someone in your life that you love to discuss the Bible with? Or you can't wait to call that person and say, "let me tell you what the Lord did for me today!"
Other times, we may lose relationships because of sin whether that sin be ours or the sin of another person. Sin can bring division and it can distort and complicate what would be a very simple, very good situation. In the case of another's sin, the loss of a relationship can bring freedom to you. Freedom from consequences, freedom from prolonged hurt, freedom from disaster in some cases. If it is your own sin that brought demise to relationships, know this. If you repent, He is faithful to restore. I have watched Him take so many things that were meant to destroy me and turn them around for my good just as He did for Joseph. I encourage you to read his story. He was rejected by his own brothers and countless others in his journey, but he recognized God's hand at work in his life. Joseph told his brothers, "As for you, you thought evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are this day." (Genesis 50:20)
We also have to figure out if what we are feeling is even accurate. There have been so many times that I felt rejected by a person or a situation and it just was not true. The enemy stepped in and took something innocent and twisted it in my mind to torment me and to bring division. I regret to say, it worked. 1 Peter 5:8 warns us to "Stay alert and pay attention. There's an enemy out there."
Many years ago, a prophetess, Ms. Connie Williams, came to the church I attended. She called me to the front and said, "The Lord says, 'You feel like you don't fit in with those around you. The truth is, you don't really fit. For I have made you different. I have set you apart.'" I am now reminded of Deuteronomy 14:2: "For you are a holy people [set apart] to the Lord your God; and the Lord has chosen you to be a peculiar people to Himself..." Ms. Williams began to then tell what she saw as far as the ministry I would walk in. So then, of course, my question is...how can I have a ministry with people if they don't accept me?
Well now, let's think...whose ministry was more powerful than anyone who has or will walk the face of this earth? Wasn't He rejected numerous times and continues to be rejected despite the fact He proves himself day by day and moment by moment? Luke 17:24-25 "For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. "
The Scriputure provides us with many examples of rejection. One of my favorites is the story of Paul and Barnabas. I refer you to Acts 13:50-52:
"But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. "
Wow! So there's your answer? Whatever the reason for the rejection It's time to shake the dust off your feet and be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit!
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