The Acceptance Found In Rejection

Rejection is bad—through and through—or so I thought.

When we are cast aside, dismissed, and overlooked, it cuts—deep and wide.

The benefits of betrayal? None. The upsides of being downtrodden? Zero. The advantages of being abandoned? Seriously!?

And then along comes this honest-to-goodness, 21st-century shepherd who completely upended my perspective on this:

Healing Father, may your tender mercies flow
over our wounds of rejection today;
may we turn toward your voice and toward your love;
may we run to you with our broken hearts and accept your healing;
open our ears to hear you as you speak to us:

I accept the rejected,
enveloping them with tenderness.

I call the disappointed and disheartened to me,
delighting them with my love.

I embrace the overlooked,
opening the doors of heaven to them.

I comfort the betrayed and bruised reeds,
for they are my beloved and I will not crush them.

I give refuge to the abandoned,
saying to them “Abide in me, remain in my love.”

I gather the discarded and cast aside,
turning my face to them and giving them peace.

I reach for the downtrodden and worn down,
lifting their burdens as well as their faces to me.

I provide for the outcast and cared-less-for,
restoring their health and healing their wounds.

I beckon the brokenhearted,
“Come to me.”
I love you.
I accept you.
I alone can heal you.
There is shelter under my wings.
I am a good Good Shepherd.
Come.

He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Psalm 91:4

More Musing

Shepherd Ray Carman has a herd of more lessons from sheep that you may enjoy. In my current season of waiting and seeking greener pastures, this clip was especially encouraging: