Rejection.

We’ve all been there. I’m sure you can remember a time you’ve been rejected and recall all the details of this incident very well. For me, I can remember a time in high school where I was rejected and it taught me a valuable lesson.

It was my freshman year of high school and I was taking a “Fundamentals of Engineering” class. I loved this class because most of the work were projects and competitions. This class was an advanced class so my peers ranged from freshmen to seniors. For the most part, I got along with sophomores and some juniors but it was really a struggle to get along with seniors. Now I loved the class so I was a great listener and followed directions very well. At the same time, I wanted to gain the respect of seniors… I mean how cool would it be for a freshman to be hanging out with seniors in class. This could mean a lot! I could have bragging rights, attend football games with a popular crowd, and have backup if I was ever to get in trouble.

One day, a project was assigned to build a bridge out of straws and paper clips. The goal was to place a textbook on the bridge and the group that was the first to engineer a bridge that can hold the weight of the book successfully meant two weeks worth of no homework. Understand that I was exceeding in the class and was really excited about the project. I had seniors who were asking if I could be in their group! I didn’t hesitate and I went for it, became a part of a group of seniors, and we started our task. The final day came and it was time to put our bridge to the test. One group went by and successfully accomplished the project. Another group went and tested out, miraculously it worked as well. Then it was our turn. I proudly presented our bridge to the class and went ahead to place the textbook… our bridge tumbled to the ground like it just got crushed by a trash compactor! I was so confused. I built this bridge. I was one of the smartest students in the class. If it was any class that I had and that I was good at, it would be this one. But I just couldn’t grasp how my bridge just got smashed by a 2 pound textbook. I was turned away from the seniors afterward and was given the “silent treatment” by my peers. Needless to say, this was an act of rejection. I failed them.

We as humans are always sensitive to rejection. It’s in our nature to feel this way because of the fear in our lives. We fear that we might displease others. I allowed fear to control my motives and become more fearful of displeasing others, the probability of making irrational decisions. When I tried to please those seniors, I created a task that was unrealistic to me, being that I was only a freshman with the lack of experience. I did not realize that they only chose me because of my work ethic and that they were suffering for a severe case of “senioritis.” I created something that became unsatisfying in the end. I just wanted to fit it with the seniors.

The far better strategy here should’ve been to please God with the talents He gave me in the first place. I should’ve remained humble and continue to work hard with the goal of completing the task rather than to be a “people pleaser”. I was reminded of the gospel of Luke where it says,

“And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” (Luke 9:5, ESV)

If we continue to allow rejection to put major roadblocks in our life, we loose a purposeful life. But if you lead a life of purpose, that is to please God instead of man, you will be able to remove roadblocks and accomplish anything you want without anyone putting you down. Focus on doing what is right and let God.