“I feel like a total failure”, said my friend Kim.

Her slumped shoulders and downcast eyes only confirmed that her words were something she believed from her heart.

Kim attended our neighborhood Bible Study.  We were studying John…a great book for curious neighbors who were too hesitant to step inside a church.  She decided to invite everyone on her cul-de-sac and at her bus stop, even going so far as to create invitations and knock on doors.

However, upon me asking how it was going, it appeared that Kim was not having any luck. In fact, not a single friend ended up coming to our Bible Study.

Was Kim’s effort really a total failure? She was rejected by every one of her neighbors. What good could come from that?

It was with great joy that I told Kim how incredibly successful she truly was!

You see, when God calls you to do something and you do it…the story NEVER begins and ends with acceptance or rejection.

In fact, in my experience, it is often in the rejection that God gives the greatest opportunities with our neighbors.

When Kim handed her neighbors and friends an invitation to a Bible study on the Book of John, she allowed a miracle to happen. She made the gospel shine . 

Matthew 5:14-16 says:

You are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

With each invite and conversation, Kim was prying the basket off of her lamp and letting it radiate out to her neighbors. They may not want to attend a bible study, but someday they will want prayer, a listening ear, somewhere to turn when they have questions…and now they know exactly where to go.  Each invitation…accepted or rejected…is an investment in future opportunity.

And the same is true for you. The pressure is off, my friend!  God asks for nothing more than obedience.  Your neighbors will see your good works, your love and compassion, and God promises that this WILL bring Him glory. As we obey God’s command to love our neighbors, we need to become friends with rejection.  It is not the enemy.  It is the opportunity.

So, how can you experience the Power of Rejection?  Hm…bet you’ve never been asked that before!

1. Turn a rejection into an opportunity to love.  Its as embarrassing for a friend to reject you as it is to BE rejected.  Lavish that person with affirmation.  Text them later in the day about something unrelated and share a joke or word of encouragement.
2. Use rejection to further the friendship.  Its simple.  “Oh, sorry that you can’t come to church with me…but lets get coffee!  Maybe Tuesday?”.  Your friend is going to need to know that you care about HER, not just her response to your faith.
3. Embrace rejection as an avenue for the gospel.  Look, rejection happens.  Even Jesus had a very poor batting average when it came to acceptance.  But, that’s okay.  You are not getting people to sign up for a Jesus Membership!  You are simply making the love and hope found in Jesus available.

Whether its a bible study invite, a door shut abruptly as you try to meet a new neighbor, or an offer to help brushed aside, rejection is simply part of the How To Love Your Neighbor landscape.  Take heart!  The seeds are still planted and your light still shines.  God uses your obedience to further His glory every single time.