Chosen by God: Letting go of rejection
Rejection is hard to endure.
Standing on the playground, I drew swirly patterns in the dirt with my foot, carefully avoiding eye contact with my classmates. It was the same scene, year after year. Because my athletic skills were non-existent, I was among the last to be selected for their softballs teams, and it was painful to be overlooked time and time again.
Although I waited in the dirt many years ago, rejection has cycled in and out of my life. I know what it’s like not to get the job, the assignment, or the invitation to the party–and I’ve even experienced a broken wedding engagement. In the aftermath of a resounding “no,” it’s easy to believe the enemy’s lies that “you aren’t chosen now and you never will be.”
The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Ephesians that combats the enemy’s lies with an encouraging truth: For he chose us in him before the creation of the world (Eph. 1:4a). Paul explains that even before the world was created, God had set His eyes on–and chosen–us. Imagine standing in a crowd and having the God of the universe point His finger at you and declare, “I choose you.” This is what He does every day of our lives.
The beautiful truth is that in Christ, you are a blessed and chosen child of God. Your Father’s love abounds for you.
I’m not sure how you’ve experienced rejection. Perhaps it came in the past, or perhaps you are walking through a season of rejection right now. Unfortunately, all of us are familiar with its pain. But there is a remedy for hurting hearts that hastens healing: the truth of God’s Word.
No matter how this world rejects us–or how many times we experience it–our Father has chosen us. He chose us before time began and He will choose us forever. He pours His love upon us and all of His promises will be fulfilled for us (John 15:16; 1 Pet. 2:9; 2 Cor. 1:20). Hear Him calling across the universe to you. He is proclaiming: You–my beloved–I choose you!
Scripture for meditation
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will. (Ephesians 1:3-5, NIV)
Prompt for reflection and journaling
How does knowing that you are chosen by God free you from the pain of rejection?
How can you see future “no’s” differently knowing the Creator of the Universe always chooses you?
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