Unmoved by Rejection
Look rejection in the face and cry, “Do your worst! I do not take my identify from relationships, status, position, or man’s praise for I know My place in the Lord.”
What moves our hearts to feel inadequate, worthless, or as though all we offer is not enough? At times we may find ourselves in the same set of circumstances in multiple situations. Do we continually face rejection or humiliation from various sources? What is the Lord trying to refine out of and work in? What if we are found in favor by those around or above us, then suddenly are cast low. What happens to our hearts when we are no longer “flavor of the month” in an organizational setting. Do we feel more or less important based on the inner workings of our relationships? Do we base our confidence on a title or status? How crucial it is to gain our identify and worth in how Jesus views us.
Man’s opinion may come and go, we may be exalted and cast low even within the same day or hour when it is in man’s hands to make us feel purposeful and as though we matter. However, when our foundation is in Christ are footing is firm, our hearts rest secure, and the works of our hands and zeal of our creativity come from the limitless fountain of living water, so we can look at rejection, humiliation, debasement and cry, “Do your worst! I do not take my identify from relationships, status, relationships, or man’s praise for I know my position, gifting, and relationship with the Lord.” Oh what confidence, oh what security to rest in the One who loves us, strengthens us, and makes our ways straight.
He broadens the path beneath us so that our ankles do not turn (Psalm 18:36). We can create and offer without fear, for it is He, the maker of Heaven and earth, that strengthens us and gives us the ability to live and move and have our being. So in all that we do, do unto the Lord. Man can accept or reject, but as we do all as unto Him then we are unmoved at the result. The Lord will make a way for our gifts, all we are to do is to continually pour out. Let us not grow weary in well doing, but offer every effort to Him who works in us to will and do of His good pleasure.
Situated for a Season
I was in a situation for a season where I was tasked with reviewing current operating procedures and creating new processes and methods for bringing order out of chaos. I asked the Lord for wisdom, met with stakeholders to conduct needs assessments, and created files and documents and other content to fulfill this purpose. However, my efforts were rejected. The higher ups to whom I submitted this work cast not only my work, but put me down as well. Instead of being met with delight for the brilliance and relevance of the content, my efforts and product were met with disdain and even my abilities were questioned. I was bewildered, for I knew I had prayed for wisdom to know how to handle the situation and create something new and useful to fit a need. I reviewed the materials, went back to the stakeholders and inquired if I rightly understood their needs and if the plan I outlined could meet them. I could not understand why this block. In situations such as this, the Lord was teaching me to cast all of my care on Him, for it is He who gave wisdom and insight into all things.
I was comforted that I had heard from Him and was prompted to create just what was needed. I was tempted to despair and even quit the field and do something else with my life, for I felt useless, inadequate, and talent-less. However, I just stood and continued to create and offer as the Lord gave me wisdom and understanding. I took the humiliations in one-on-one meetings and even before others. I offered it all to the Lord and contemplated His words, “Whatever you do to the least of these, you have done unto Me.”
I was definitely a “least of these” so I knew the Lord was aware of each comment, jeer, and negative remarks. I wanted to quit and walk away, but the Lord drew me to just stand. After a time, the Lord turned the whole situation around. Those ideas I offered were eventually used and they not only met the needs of the organization at that time, but are still used today. I was later asked to resurrect the proposal and not only employ it but to make proposals for other matters as this one worked so well. For some reason that is still a mystery to me, the committee I proposed the ideas to had their hearts set against this way. Perhaps it was ahead of its time, for often things that come from the Lord take a little time for man to realize it is exactly what is needed. Had I given in to the opinions of man at that time and received rejection, I would have missed working in my gift.
I stayed humble and patient and offered even my reputation to stay in a position, that for a season, those with the loudest voiced proclaimed I was not qualified or talented enough to hold. Yet, the Lord knew exactly what was needed in that situation and used me to stand and fill it. Looking back, I see that it was in that situation that I began learning how to spot the heavy influence rejection can have on one’s heart. How many talents and gifts have been given up on because for a season man could not see the beauty or skill in the least of these. I say this day, oh beloved Child of God, lay hold to those things the Lord has put in your hear to do. Create, innovate, offer and let the Lord make your way. For you can confidently look rejection in the face and say, “Do your worst, for the Lord will do His best through Me!”
Psalm 27:1-14
“The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, Lord, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”