Rejection is possibly the most painful human experience. Tests conducted at the University of California revealed that two of the same brain regions that are activated by physical pain are also activated by social exclusion and rejection.
Campbell Morgan (1863-1945) did well in all of his doctrinal studies and was seeking to enter pastoral ministry. The final requirement was to preach a trial sermon. Three ministers and 75 others came to listen to Morgan. He entered the pulpit, presented his sermon and then waited. Two weeks later, Morgan’s name was posted publicly on a list under the heading of “REJECTED”.
He wired his father the one word, “Rejected,” and his diary entry that day was, “Very dark everything seems. Still, He knoweth best.” His father replied immediately, “Rejected on earth. Accepted in heaven. Dad.”
Morgan later said, “God said to me, in the weeks of loneliness and darkness that followed, ‘I want you to cease making plans for yourself, and let Me plan your life’”.
Apparently Morgan paid attention to the admonitions of both his earthly and Heavenly fathers because he became a notable author, successful pastor and was considered by many to be the most outstanding preacher of that era.
Morgan’s response and outcome indicate that rejection is not necessarily permanent or terminal, but it can be.
A young man, being released from military service, called his parents. His mother answered the phone and he said he would like to bring another soldier with him. “Mom,” he said, “my friend has been badly wounded and he has only one leg, one arm and one eye.” With some hesitation and obvious reluctance, the mother replied, “Alright son, I guess he can stay…for a little while.” Her tone of voice clearly conveyed the message that they wouldn’t like to be burdened for long with such a severely handicapped person.
Two days later, they received a telegram from the admiral’s office saying their son had taken his own life by plunging from a hotel window. His body arrived for burial and his parents went for a private viewing. Their son had only one arm, one leg, and one eye.
Considering the painful reality of rejection, my thoughts turn to Jesus who faced severe rejection so that He could ultimately provide acceptance. Isaiah wrote, “He was despised and rejected by men. He was despised, and we did not esteem Him” (Isaiah 53:3). However, His rejection resulted in the acceptance mentioned in the New Testament. It states that, “He (God) has made us accepted in the Beloved (Jesus)” (Ephesians 1:6).
“Human beings, like plants, grow in the soil of acceptance, not in the atmosphere of rejection.” – John Powell.
— Pastor Ross Helgeton is senior pastor at Erskine Evangelical Free Church