Rejected? Or chosen?

I hope you enjoyed reading my SOAP series from my study time in the book of Philippians. I enjoyed writing it and God spoke to my heart through each and every post.

As I've mentioned a couple of times, I am currently doing a SOAP study of the book of Acts with my friend, Gina. I am learning so much from this and I want to share it with all of you. But, instead of the SOAP format, I'm just going to share what's in my heart. Sound good?

So, here goes...

Over the summer, I went through a situation that really tested my faith, my patience, and my trust in God's promises.

A job opportunity unexpectedly presented itself to me. At first, I resisted the idea of even applying, arguing that I wasn't qualified and that it would never work with my homeschooling. But God kept speaking to me, encouraging me to step out and try. So, I sat down to type up my resume. The more I worked on it, the more I realized that I WAS qualified. I DID have training and knowledge and experience that had prepared me for the job.

So, I turned in my resume, went through the interview process, and waited for the call that I had the job. I spent time praying and seeking God's guidance each step of the way and I was completely, 100% sure that I was the one God would choose. In the end, the decision was between me and one other person. And the other person was chosen.

I had tried to prepare my heart for the possibility of not getting the job, but in reality, it's impossible to put your whole heart into something AND keep it at a distance at the same time. So, I was devastated. Why would God ask me to step out and apply for that job if He knew all along I wouldn't be chosen? Why would He want to set me up for rejection? Was it some sort of cruel trick for His amusement-keep me on a spiritual yo-yo offering me something good and then snatching it away at the last minute? Was I not good enough for God to use me for something great?

It was just a couple of days after I got the news that I read this passage in my study time.

Acts 1:23-26
²³ So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. ²⁴ Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen ²⁵ to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” ²⁶ Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

Notice, the disciples did not pray for God to show them who was more qualified. They didn't pray for God to show them which one was worthy. They didn't ask God to show them who He accepted and who He rejected. They asked God to simply show them who was the right person for THIS job. Who should be the one to take the place of Judas as one of the 12? That person was Matthais.

Did that mean that there was something deficient about Joseph? No. Did not becoming a disciple cancel out Joseph's inclusion in the Great Commission to go out and reach people with the Good News? No. Did Mattais being chosen for the job disqualify Joseph from ever being used by God somewhere else? No. 

All it meant was that THIS job was meant for Matthais and God was going to use Joseph somewhere else. Joseph wasn't rejected by God. He was CHOSEN to work for God in a different way. 

We don't really know what happened to Joseph called Barsabbas. I tried to do a little research and couldn't find any hard facts about him. But most of the things I found suggested that it is believed He went on to do spread the Gospel in other areas.  

As I was reading this passage, God spoke to my heart and my peace began to return.  I started to understand that my not getting the job was not a rejection from God. It wasn't because I was unqualified or somehow not good enough. It wasn't because of some mistake in my past or deficiency in my abilities. It wasn't a confirmation that God could never use someone like me.

Looking back on it now, I can see purpose behind why God asked me to apply for the job, even though it wasn't His plan for me to be hired. The biggest one being that applying for this job was a huge step out of my comfort zone. I had to actually put myself out there and take a risk. Also, through this process, my eyes have been opened to see myself more like God sees me. Where I used to think that I had no talent, no gifts, no abilities to work in a leadership position, I now understand that I CAN lead and I CAN do more than just hide in the background. I now know that God has a big plan for my life, something He is preparing me to step up and do someday.

The reason I didn't get hired for the job was because this wasn't the right job for me. I could have done this job and done it well. I would have put my heart and soul into it, but it wasn't right for me. It wouldn't have fulfilled the plans that God has had for me since before I was born.  I wasn't rejected for this job, I was CHOSEN for another job. And it will be revealed to me at the perfect time.

Jeremiah 29:11 says,
 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Because God promises that He has a plan for my future, I can rest assured that even though the chatter in my brain tells me I've been rejected, the truth tells me I am CHOSEN. God has a perfect plan for me. I just have to be willing to wait for it to be revealed.

Do you know why you're there?

I mentioned in this post that I have been going through the book of Acts with a friend. It's been very interesting to me because, although I've studied different verses and stories from Acts, I have never read the whole thing. I'm finding there was a lot of good stuff I was missing. God has spoken to me so much through this study!

Today, I was reading in Acts 19. This is one of those chapters that I had kind of heard people talk about, but hadn't ever really read for myself. I enjoyed the first section and pulled some good insight from it, but it was the second section that really spoke to me today. It really made me rethink some of the things I think and say. I want to share it with you.

Acts 19:23-34

The Riot in Ephesus

²³ About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. ²⁴ A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. ²⁵ He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. ²⁶ And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. ²⁷ There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”

²⁸ When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” ²⁹ Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed into the theater together. ³⁰ Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. ³¹ Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.

³² The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. ³³ The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander to the front, and they shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people. ³⁴ But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

 

This whole story spoke to me but in particular verse 32, 

"The assembly was in confusion:Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there."

 

Isn't that how things work a lot of the time? Especially in politics or in the news, we get into that "mob mentality" and get up-in-arms about issues when we may not know all the facts.  All it takes is just a couple of key words thrown into a news story or a facebook post to incite mass arguments and people taking sides. 

Here's how it happens...someone writes a blog post about a current happening, voicing their opinion. They throw in a reference to race, religion, or politics that is strongly to one extreme. That post gets shared on facebook. People read it and have a strong reaction because of the extreme wording and either side for it or against it. Because it stirs their emotions so much, they share the post again and add a comment stating their opinion. Then their followers do the same and their followers do the same, until it's everywhere. People on each side, sharing their thoughts and arguing that they are right and the other side is wrong. 

But, here's something to remember...ANYONE can write up a post about ANYTHING they want, whether it is fact or not. 

By the time it has been posted and reposted and reposted, most people who are reposting do not have any relationship or connection with the original author. They don't know whether what they just reposted is the truth. In fact, I'd be willing to be that a lot of people who repost those inflammatory  articles don't even read them first, much less research the actual truth. 

Instead, they repost because a "friend" shared it and they trust their friend's judgement. 

 

But, in truth, they don't even really know what the argument is about in the first place. 

 

I encourage you, please, read and research before you repost. Don't be swayed by someone's clever use of hot-button words. Instead, ask God for wisdom and discernment to know the truth and to make a judgement based on His word. And then consider whether it's worth joining the masses and entering a riot where most people don't even know why they're there. Let's choose our battles wisely!

SOAP-Philippians #9

"Thanks for their gifts/Final Greetings"

S

Philippians 4:12

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want

O

Even in prison, Paul says that he is content. Wow! 

A

Contentment is hard. Even when all my needs are met, when I have plenty of money in bank and food on the table, when my family is healthy, when the bills are paid, and when I am surrounded by the good things God has given me, I want more. There's always something else I wish I could have or do. And when things are hard, money is short, health issues arise, and I can't get the things I want, it's even harder. I grumble and complain and worry. 
What's sad about that is I've never faced true need. True, we've had tight finances and times we didn't know how we were going to pay a bill that week. I've had health issues that were serious. We've had job losses and car trouble and kids who've had injuries. But, I've never  faced starvation or persecution or imprisonment. I am blessed with family and friends who are willing and able to help if I need it. I live in a place where medication and education are available to help with my health issues. We have access to doctors and hospitals when the kids need them, mechanics to fix cars, and opportunities for new jobs. Still, I want more. 
I want a NEW car. I want money to eat out, even though I have plenty of food in my pantry. I want God to zap me and take my health issues away. After all the blessings God has given me, I'm still not content.
So, what was Paul's secret? How could he, with all he had been through and was still going through, possibly be content? How can we? 
I believe the secret he speaks of to being content is to have an eternal perspective. Paul realized that EVERYTHING about this life is temporary. When we have good things, when things are going well and we have all our needs and wants, it's temporary. It can all be gone in an instant. But, on the flipside, all our struggles are also temporary. They won't last forever because someday we will leave this world and be in heaven with Jesus, where we will have everything we need forever.
And that's where our focus needs to be. If I am living for the eternal and working to reach other people with the love of Jesus, then I can be content with whatever God chooses to bless me with or not to bless me with. Because I know that the things of this earth will be gone soon but the souls of those around me will last forever.

P

Dear Jesus, You are so incredibly patient with me. You give me good things and I grumble and complain that I want more. Forgive my discontented attitude. Help me learn the secret of being content in any and every situation. Open my eyes to see the big picture, the eternal perspective. I want my focus to be on sharing your love with the people around me and making an eternal impact on their lives. Help me to give you the praise when you choose to bless me with things of this world and to continue to praise you when they are taken away.   In your name I pray, Amen.

 

SOAP-Philippians #8

"Exhortations"

S

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

O

Paul encourages us to keep our mind on positive things, to think about things that are going to build us up and lift our spirits.

A

  We are constantly bombarded by negative images, words, and thoughts. It's easy to fill our mind with things that bring us down and take our thoughts off God's goodness and love for us. If you turn on the television or radio, log onto social media, or read a newspaper or magazine, it doesn't take long before news of a tragedy or crime is front and center. We hear about wars, murders, famines, disasters, child abuse, celebrities making bad choices, and on and on. If we're not careful, these things take over our thoughts and consume us. When this happens, we tend to think the worst about the people around us and the situations we face.
When I put my attention on negatives, I think negatively. It starts with reading an article online about some tragic happening, a missing child maybe. That leads me to think about what I would do if my child was missing. How I would feel. That produces fear and worry. Then I send my kids out to play and they don't come immediately when I call them. This causes a moment of panic when that story flashes back into my mind. In an instant, all sorts of terrible happenings race through my brain. And even when I see my child coming and realize they are just fine, the worry and fear nag at the back of my mind, stealing the joy of being with my children because all I can think about is losing them. This is not how God intended for us to feel.
The opposite is also true. When I put my mind on positive things- things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy-I think positive thoughts. When I spend time reading the Bible, praying, sharing what I've learned with others, reading uplifting stories, and listening to encouraging music, I see the world differently. Instead of fear and worry, my thoughts are filled with joy and peace. I can see God's goodness and mercy all around me, even when things aren't going my way. Because I know that in all circumstances, God is still good, I can see hope even when things are not good. And then, I can pass that hope on to others who need it.
So today, I choose to fill my mind with good things. I will listen to things that build me up. I will read things that are encouraging. I will speak words that bring hope. I will think about things that are true, lovely, and praiseworthy. Because God is good, all the time!  

P

Dear Jesus, there are so many negative things in my world that pull for my attention. When I'm not careful, my thoughts become consumed with them and my mind is filled with fear and worry. In your word, it says that you have not given me a spirit of fear, so I know these thoughts of not from you. Forgive me, Lord, for giving in to the negative and allowing it to steal the joy you have brought to my life. Help me, today, to place my thoughts on you, to choose to intentionally look at, listen to, and speak things that are good. Thank you for helping me to drown out the negative and hear you speak to me above all the noise. You are good, all the time!
Amen!

SOAP-Philippians #7

"Pressing on toward the goal"

S

Philippians 3:13-14
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

O

 Paul has just finished telling all the reasons he had to brag about his "righteousness" under the law. He realizes, though, that none of that matters because our true righteousness is only found through Jesus. So, Paul says he is not going to dwell on things from the past. Instead, he is going to look ahead. He's going to keep doing the work God gives him to do without looking back.

A

The past has a way of getting in the way of our future. So often, we carry past hurts, failures, and regrets around with us and they keep us from moving on into the future God has for us. Or, on the other side, we want to live in the limelight of a past success or victory and not move ahead to the next thing God has for us for fear of failure. Both of these will keep us from reaching our full potential in Christ. We need to let go of our past, the good and the bad, and move on toward the things God has planned for our future.

P

Dear Jesus, Thank you, Lord, that I don't have to carry my past around with me. I can let go of it and move on to the future that you have planned for me. All of my failures and hurts, you have freed me from through your death on the cross. All my successes that I want to stay in, I can leave behind with confidence knowing that you have a plan to give me hope and a future. Help me, Lord, to set my sights on what's ahead and leave the past in the past. I want to do as Paul said and press on toward the goal that you have for me. In your name I pray, Amen

SOAP-Philippians #6

"No confidence in the flesh"

S

Philippians 3:9

and be found in him, not having righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

 O

Paul spends the first few verses of this chapter recounting all the reasons he could choose to brag on his righteousness through the law. He was circumcised on the 8th day, he is an Israelite of the tribe of Benjamin, and Pharisee, a persecutor of the church, faultless under the law. But then he turns the tables and proclaims it all garbage. He knows that righteousness through works under the law is not enough. Our righteousness comes only through faith in Jesus Christ.

A

So many times in my life, I have tried to earn God's love and acceptance through being "good" or doing "good deeds". I try to follow all the rules to live the way I think I am supposed to so that God will love me. My goal is to earn God's acceptance. But I don't have to do that.
God's love and acceptance of me are not based on what I do. God loves me because of who I am. He created me. He loves me. He accepts me. He wants me to be with Him forever. And He showed it by sending His son, Jesus, to die for my sins and to rise again to bring me new life. Jesus already did everything that was required for me to be accepted. All I have to do is believe. My righteousness comes from who Jesus is and what He did, not from anything that I will ever do.

P

Dear Jesus, Thank you, Lord, for your sacrifice for me on the cross and for the new life you give me through your resurrection. Thank you that I don't have to do anything or be anything to earn your love. My righteousness comes from faith in you alone. Help me, Lord, to remember that when you said "It is finished," you completed the work to be done for my salvation. Thank you for the freedom that comes from being able to serve you out of the love in my heart rather than out of obligation. I place my faith in you and what you have done for me and I choose to bring you honor by serving you and following your commands.
In Your name I pray, Amen

SOAP-Philippians #5

"Timothy and Epaphroditus"

S

Philippians 2:24

And I am confident in the Lord, that I myself  will come soon.

O

Paul is writing this letter from prison. He is making plans to send Timothy back to the church, even though that doesn't seem likely to happen at the moment. He has faith that God will make a way. He even believes that he himself will be released and able to return to them soon. His faith isn't dependent on his circumstances.

A

I need to always be looking beyond my immediate circumstances to what God has planned for me in the future. Too many times when I encounter a difficult situation, I throw up my hands and think "this is the end. It's never going to get any better." But Paul was in a much more desperate situation than I have ever faced and he held on to his faith. He didn't just curl up in the prison and die, he looked ahead and believed that God had something great planned for him. Not only that, but while he was still in prison, he spent his time encouraging others. Paul had confidence that God would deliver him from his situation. I need to focus on what God can do, not where I am.

P

Dear God, When I face difficulties in my life, I tend to give up and lose hope. I forget all the things that you have brought me through and all the promises that you have made about my future. All I see is the immediate. Help me, Lord, to learn to see beyond right now. When things go wrong, I want to hold onto my faith that you have a plan and a future for me. I want to see beyond myself to the needs of others and be an encouragement to them, no matter what I'm going through. Thank you, Lord, that there is always hope in you. Because you sent Jesus to die on the cross and rise again for me, I can have hope that things will always get better.
In Jesus' Name, Amen