Rejection

Most people have experienced rejection, usually many times in their lives. Someone said we were stupid, or kids did not want to play with us, or we did not make the team or get the part in the play that we wanted. Perhaps someone else got the job we wanted or into the school that we applied too. Sometimes a potential spouse said no way to our hope of marriage. Sometimes an actual spouse said no more.
What has our response been to rejection? Anger? Unforgiveness? Isolating ourselves? Developing a hard outer persona? While praying last night with some brothers the Holy Spirit illuminated something for me in a far clearer and deeper way than ever before. God was and is being rejected every day. He created us in His image, unlike any other part of His creation. A completely self-sufficient Being created us in order to love us and adopt us into His family and the vast majority of people live their whole lives rejecting Him. Not in a passive way either. We are hostile to God and His ways and reject those who try to show His love and truth to us.
Jesus experienced this during His time on earth. His precious Name is used as a curse. Yet what was his response? 1 Peter 2:21b says "Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow in His steps: (v. 23) who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth, (v.24) who, when he was reviled did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; (v.24) who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree..." (NKJV) The next time we feel rejected, let us remember that God was rejected too, and He continues to extend grace to a rebellious world.