NOUN
1. the dismissing or refusing of a
proposal, idea, etc.:
"the
union decided last night to recommend rejection of the offer"
repudiation · rebuff · spurning · abandonment · desertion · brush-off · forsaking
§
the spurning of a person's affections
No one enjoys being rejected. Having been a pastor within
the Parish of Lowesville, VA for the last five years I have met many people who
are quite amiable. I am sure that a fair share of those people quietly decline
the opportunity to be a part of the Parish church. However, at times there are
others who overtly spurn such opportunities. Last evening I was feeling
confident so I sent an email to a couple in our parish with the hopes of
gaining an audience with them with the express purpose of opening meaningful
dialogue.
I had no agenda other than wanting to sincerely check in
with them. As the pastor within the Parish of Lowesville I felt it my duty to
offer my services. However, my proposal was declined which brought me very low
in my spirit. I feel as if I have been severely wounded in battle, as it were.
I was immediately brought to tears. Just before learning of their refusal via
email, I had just considered as passage from Acts 13:42-52 wherein St. Paul and
his cohort Barnabas had experienced a similar setback. In verse 51, after being
expelled from the region, the Scriptures tell of Paul & Barnabas shaking the dust off their feet as a warning
to them before proceeding to the next province.
Upon reading the email and realizing the prophetic relevance
of the Biblical passage I had just read, I gathered my emotions, got up from my
desk and quietly walked up to the Sanctuary. I ascended the secret staircase as
I prayed in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. I
entered the Sanctuary, removed my shoes and I knelt at the altar for a time of intercessory
prayer. As best I could, I earnestly prayed for the family that had clearly and
officially rejected me.
It hurt. I was humbled and yet, through prayer, I
realized that my Lord, my Redeemer, my King (Jesus the Christ) had also experienced
rejection. With this realization, I was at peace. I retrieved a hymnal and I
slowly walked over to the side door of the church. From this vantage point I
could see the home of the family who had just broke my heart by rejecting my
earnest plea of simply wanting to initiate meaningful dialogue.
I just wanted to be their friend or to at least show them
that I care. That’s all. I did not expect anything from them. I just wanted to
talk. Sure, I would have loved for them to be a part of the Parish church
within the quite hamlet of Lowesville but I would never pressure them to do so.
I opened the hymnal to “Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone.”
1.
Must Jesus bear the cross alone, And
all the world go free? No, there’s a cross for everyone, And there’s a cross for
me.
2.
How happy are the saints above, who
once went sorrowing here! But now they taste unmingled love And joy without
tear.
3.
The consecrated cross I’ll bear Till
death shall set me free; And then go home my crown to wear, For there’s a crown
for me. Amen.
I only hope that through prayer God will bring them to a
place where they will reconsider. If not, may God have mercy on their souls…
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