Yesterday afternoon while outside I overheard one of
my neighbors discussing being invited to another neighbor’s birthday party. I pretended
I was not bothered by the fact that I was the only surrounding neighbor not
invited to this party, but I could almost immediately hear the whispers of the
enemy. I could hear the taunts, “What’s wrong with you that you where not
invited?” and “They just don’t like you.” I began to be concerned about why I
was not chosen, not picked and overlooked. I felt like I did when I was in school
where if you did not meet certain criteria you could not be in the girl’s
clique. I never have fit into a mold or a certain group and because of that I was
often not included in the popular groups. I don’t think there is anyone who can
say they did not desire to be in the popular crowd in school, and even to a
large extent still want to fit in and be popular as adults.
Reflect:
How does it make you feel to not be included, overlooked or not invited? Do you
care about what people think of you? Do you wonder if there is something wrong
with you not them? The “root” to not being included or invited is rejection.
Rejection speaks loudly, “You’re not good enough.” Be careful with dwelling on
the lies that come after you experience rejection. It is easy to believe the
lies that you are overlooked, not liked or that there is something wrong with
you. Hold your head up high and walk in confidence that you are a child of God,
and though rejection can be painful God has chosen you for a special purpose.
You may never know why certain people don’t include
you, but don’t want something that God may be trying to protect you from. Some
people believe they are better than others because of the color of their skin, their
wealth or their social status. God does not call you to be inclusive, prejudice,
haughty or have an elitist mindset.
Be you! Be who
God created you to be! Be unique! Stand-out of the crowds and let your light
shine for all men to see. Some will be offended by the light in you, but others
will be drawn to the light. Let your light shine anyways. Don’t prove yourself
to anyone, just be the light.
Meditate:
·
If
the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. John 15:18,
ESV
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