Prophetic Crossroads
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Search

"Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up."

We believe in a lifestyle that embraces​ intentional kindness, respect, and encouragement.​

Learn More
« All Articles

Rejection Simplified

Are we working for Jesus in the most basic of ways?
BY JUDITH FOLKERTS
Picture
LIFE  /  RELATIONSHIPS

​I think it’s safe to say that we can’t appreciate one another’s positions, perspectives and experiences in life. We’re an educated people, and I’m sorry to say, we can be superior about our knowledge. Even without intention, we observe one another’s lives, and we judge. As we assess and evaluate everything around us, we also sometimes reject. We reject ideas, opportunities and theologies, and a lot more. We also reject one another.


Jesus was aware of our penchant to exclude what we don’t understand, what is different from us, and what we just plain don’t like. This is human nature. In Scripture it’s called sin. Jesus didn’t tolerate sin, and He didn’t tolerate superior, prideful, exclusive people. They made Him angry. He is the Good Shepherd, and He is protective of His sheep.

When I was a young teen, I had no friends. I got along with everyone, I did well in school, but my family kept apart from the school social scene. Before I entered high school, I was approached by a boy who lived about a mile away on the same country road where I lived. He invited me to youth group. We were indoors at the time, and I remember looking behind me to see who he was talking to. I didn’t have the right clothes, or right anything, to be included in anything social. Yes, he was talking to me. I remember being flooded with the possibility that I could be included. My hopes began to surface, even as I tried to understand why​ he invited me. It never occurred to me to not accept.

My question was basic: can people change?
​
For weeks a battle raged in my mind. I looked everywhere for the simplest answer. My question was basic: can people change? Could I be part of anything, could I be liked, could I be good enough to be wanted, accepted and included? More than anything, I wanted to believe that my life could be better than it was, that there was hope for me. I did begin youth group, rough around the edges. My family was not Christian. I didn’t curse, I didn’t drink and I didn’t do anything unacceptable, but I was probably loud, awkward and maybe not even likable. I still don’t know. These new friends didn’t let on, either way.

Not long after I attended youth group a few times, a girl in my class approached me. She was socially secure, a high achiever, and was friendly. Again, I looked behind me when she started talking to me. Why was she talking to me? She asked me if I attended that youth group, that she was thinking of going, too. I know now that she was from a Christian home. She reached out to me, even though I was far from perfect. Forty years later, she is married to that young man who gave me the first glimpse of acceptance in my life. She is still my dearest friend.

We are called to accept and love people.
​
Why, why, why do we reject one another when so much good can come from accepting one another? We are called to accept and love people. Whom have we barred out of the Kingdom of Heaven by being offended, uninterested, judgmental or unkind? Whom have we hurt in the body of Christ? What blessings have we kept away by not reaching out? I do believe that Jesus cares more than we can conceive. 

Whatever causes us to reject, whatever caused us to exclude, whatever causes us to just not care, that thing needs to go.  Jesus has given us His heart, and His love is broad and inclusive. We need to confess our apathy, pride, judgement and cruelty.  Then we need to start fresh, to wake up tomorrow and ask God to help us rearrange our social schedule. There’s a world to change for Jesus.

“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you,
​ in order to bring praise to God.”

–Romans 15:1

Posted on

5/27/2017


Comments

.

    FEATURED ARTICLES


    Picture

    Praying for The Overwhelming Needs of Others

    Picture

    6 Classic Signs of Personal Spiritual Neglect

    Picture

    What Love Looks Like


    FEATURED REVIEW

    Picture

    The Story Behind The Song “Miracles”


    FEATURED QUOTES
    from our
    ​FaceBook page

    Picture
    True Religion
    Picture
    Intercession
    Picture
    Persistence

    CATEGORIES

    Audio
    Book Reviews
    Church
    Culture
    Current
    Daily
    Film
    God
    Health
    Life
    Ministry
    Nation
    Prayer
    Prophetic Crossroads
    Relationships
    Short Story


    ARCHIVES

    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016


    SUBSCRIBE

      Stay informed. Subscribe to receive monthly emails with  article highlights.
    Subscribe
Home • Articles • About • Contact • Subscribe
© 2016 Prophetic Crossroads, All Rights Reserved. 
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Search