Rejection

Acts 10:34-35 – Then Peter replied, "I see very clearly that God doesn't show partiality. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right." (NLT)

I was preparing for a writing workshop I was giving at the Christian college in our town, and I needed an illustration to help the students and faculty with the reality of rejection. Too often the sting of rejection brings budding authors to a halt, causing them to lose sight of their goals. How could I help them keep their vision and understand that God is able to take our little and make it much?

Five days before the workshop, I read a little story from 1954 about Kenneth Taylor, who became concerned when he found that during family devotions, several of his ten children didn't understand the wording in their Bibles. He spent several years paraphrasing the New Testament, and after his work was completed, he tried to find a publisher. Several rejections followed, but because he believed in the importance of the manuscript, he pooled his resources and self-published his work. The Living Bible has gone on to be a best-selling version, and was the start of a famous publishing house for Christian literature.

Rejection, whether it comes from family members, friends, or the publishing house, hurts. But when we go to God, we don't need to fear rejection, for He accepts those who fear Him and do what is right.

Prayer: Dear God, sometimes we want to give up when we experience the hurt that comes with rejection. Help us to realize how much You love us and accept us as we are. Amen.

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