acceptance

Overcoming a spirit of rejection

13 Comments / More on that message..., Overcoming, Relationship with God /

“He has made us accepted in the Beloved.” (Ephesians 1:6 AKJV)

Why is it that we so readily give credence to the voice of rejection whispering in our ear? You know that voice. It says “I don’t belong here. No one listens to or cares about me. I have nothing to offer.” It’s always in the first person “I”, because that is the way the devil deceives us into thinking its coming from us rather than from him, the father of lies. (John 8:44)

Seeds of rejection sown into our lives through experiences of being disregarded, abandoned or betrayed are fueled by the devil’s lies and lead to self-rejection. We then become our own worst enemy. Henri Nouwen writes “Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that declares we are loved.”

The heart of the message of the Gospel is the very opposite of rejection. It is the promise of acceptance by our heavenly Father in the unconditional love of His son Jesus Christ.

Overcoming a spirit of rejection Read More »

The joy in being a nobody

3 Comments / Relationship with God /

I love this little poem written by Emily Dickinson more than 150 years ago. It conveys in such an unassuming way a deep spiritual truth. The Apostle Paul writes “There is no respect of persons with God.” (Romans 2:11) He is quoting here an Old Testament passage out of Deuteronomy 10:17 that says “God does not show partiality or take a bribe.” This is a very freeing truth. The basis of our relationship with God is not measured by accomplishment – by making ourselves or proving ourselves to be somebody.

The joy in being a nobody Read More »

Scroll to Top