The recovery process takes a minimum stay of 100 days. In February of 2016 I had the honor to be a friend’s companion during her recovery after a bone marrow transplant. She had to follow the strictest of regimens and doctors instructions. Selecting the proper donor was a tough process because her son ultimately was the donor.
Definition of rejection
- 1a : the action of rejecting : the state of being rejected b : an immune response in which foreign tissue (as of a skin graft or transplanted organ) is attacked by immune system components of the recipient organism
The purpose of the 100 days is to make sure her body doesn’t reject the tissue. The numerous doctor’s appointments and labs were exhausting. Every function of her body was monitored and constantly examined. To date she is cancer free and getting stronger and stronger. PTL
As pastors and pastor’s wives we see people rejected and beat up all the time. Our quick responses of prayer and encouragement to them are part of the things we do to serve the local body. It is Out of obedience to the Lord in our calling.
What happens when we experience rejection? I have been in ministry now for almost 25 years and I have had a lot of rejection. In the definition of rejection; the second definition made me think of the local church. The local church is where I see the body of Christ in action. Sometimes my local body is not very kind or loving. I feel rejection.
As pastors we try not to take things personal, but everything we do is personal. As a servant to the ministry I have to invest and love and care! When people leave the church it hurts. When you pour into people’s lives and they don’t want any more to do with you, it hurts. My prayer almost daily is, “Lord keep my heart soft and my skin thick.”
Who was the most rejected person, Jesus? He was perfect and yet rejected. When I received my salvation I took on the very being of Christ. This very thing I must remember. Jesus kept His eyes on the Father. His identity was in God. I find in some of my biggest disappointments in people that have rejected me, I was looking to them for approval. It is very easy to try and people please. Looking to the Father and asking what He thinks of me changes my perspective on rejection. My approval must come from Him and not man.
In ministry I’ve had to learn to get over things quickly. This comes in the form of forgiveness. Early on in my ministry a very precious women mentored me in the area of forgiveness. She told me I had to learn to forgive and forgive quickly. This is not always so easy, is it? I found hanging on to unforgiveness made be bitter towards the people who had rejected me. That was only hurting me. I knew I had to lay that down. It has changed my ministry. I have a greater dependence on the Father.
I heard a pastor recently say, “I am going to let man’s rejection be God’s redirection in my life so I can move forward to something better!”
When I was saved, I received the bone marrow of Christ. I want to live out my days following His orders and direction for my life. I don’t want to go into rejection of who he made me to be. Today I will stand in the fullness of His approval and operate out of love.
Pastor’s Wife, Mother, Worship Pastor, Teacher, Soloist
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