How To Keep Moving After Rejection
Rejection Series
“One of the most powerful things a person can experience is rejection…”
“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
”
Explanation:
John's prologue gives us deep insight into the nature of the incarnation of Jesus, his origins, and his purpose for coming to Earth. It speaks of Jesus as the only true hope for a humanity that is double-blind: it cannot see nor is it aware that it cannot see. The light that shines in the darkness came to his own Jewish people. And yet, his own flesh and blood did not recognize him. In fact, they actively rejected him. Despite the wondrous deeds he performed, and the miracles that came through him, he was still rejected by his own. It is an astonishingly claim that John is making - that even in the midst of God's people, God himself can still be rejected.
Connection:
One of the most powerful things a person can experience is rejection. It is a part of life and for whatever reason, rejection seems to have a profound effect upon the human psyche. No matter the form of rejection - from a college application, to that promotion you wanted, to the approval of a hard-to-please parent - it has the power to form us and implant itself deep within our soul. It can leave cavernous holes in our hearts that can affect the ways we live our lives and the way in which we interact with others. It can drive us to the depths of despair and make us feel things that we have a difficult time putting into words. It also transcends relationships. We can feel rejected by family, friends, spouses, and a whole plethora of other relationships.
There is a strong case to be made that rejection touches us where we are most vulnerable - our estranged relationship with God. In some mysterious way, our feeling of rejection is tied up in our feeling of insecurity. The unconditional love of God shines upon all people, but because of our warped nature we are left unable to perceive this love. Thus, we are not secure in ourselves, and we seek this security from other human beings who will inevitably fail us. Christ himself experienced this element of our human condition on many levels. He was a king who was rejected by his own people. Even his trusted disciples "all forsook him and fled" (Mark 14:50). The narrow road is often one that is lonely. At times, the cross that we carry will be that of rejection - a cross we must bear as the result of following our own rejected king. However, when all flesh has abandoned us, God himself will never leave nor forsake you (Deut 31:6). When the night is dark and the path deserted, it is the spirit of God that will carry you through your time in the wilderness.
Action:
1. Know Your Worth -
Rejection can sometimes make us feel like we are worthless, unloved, and unvalued. Nothing could be further from the truth. Made in the image of the eternal God - you have infinite value. It is he who made you "fearfully and wonderfully" (Ps 139:14). His imprint is upon you and the son of God himself shed his blood to win you back from sin and death. Understand that your identity is solely in Christ. It Is not you who live, but Christ who lives in you (Gal 2:19-22).
2. Rest in Christ -
As Christians, we must learn to not fear the rejection of man - which is inevitable in this world as we follow Christ. Yet, we are given hope when our Lord says "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33). Therefore, rest in Christ's victory over the world and receive the comfort of his spirit.
3. Look Forward -
Rejection can often tempt us to resent those who have turned their back upon us. However, the Christian life is one that subsists in hope. We believe in a God who will vindicate his people on the last day which we can see now only partially. Therefore, look forward to the hope of God's vindication where we will become partakers of his very nature as he becomes all and in all (Rev. 2:10).