Reject Self-Rejection
/Here we are again, sisters and brothers. Let’s think through afresh God’s “masterpiece idea” — us!
For we are God’s masterpiece.
He has created us anew in Christ Jesus,
so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10 NLT
God is the sovereign Creator of all things. And our sovereign, Creator God loves His creation. And who can blame Him? His glorious creation displays His creativity, His sense of humor, His joy, His fun.
Can you just see the twinkle in His eye as He put each in its place? No wonder He said, “It is good.” Not once but six times (Genesis 1:1-25).
1. God created light . . . “Good” (vs 4) – Recall the sudden appearance of a rainbow after the rain.
2. God created land and sea . . . “Good” (v 10) – Be amazed by the mountains rising up from the plain.
3. God created plants . . . “Good” (v 12) – Enjoy the fragrance of roses and the lusciousness of strawberries in season.
4. God created the sun, moon, and stars . . . “Good” (v 18) – Glory in sunrise over the ocean and brilliant stars on a black velvet sky.
5. God created birds and fish . . . “Good” (v 21) -- Smile at the haughty display of the proud peacock and the playful dolphins breaking the surface of the sea.
6. God created land animals . . . “Good” (v 25) Be amazed at God’s endless variety, including pets galore.
But He wasn’t finished, as delighted as He was with all He had made. He knew something was lacking -- His masterpiece, the epitome of His creation — man & woman. Together they manifest the Imago Dei, the image of God.
So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1: 27 NASB
And did you notice God’s reaction when He completed His creation with the crafting of His image bearer?
And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good.
Genesis 1:31 NASB
Not just good … very good.
But I fear we humans, who are God’s image bearers, are more characterized by self-rejection than self-acceptance. Why is that I wonder?
our two grandson — High school graduates 2024
We don’t like something about ourselves. Maybe it’s our personality, our gender, our physical stature, our abilities. Maybe it’s where we live, our family of origin, our profession, our income, even our “spirituality” or lack thereof. And we assume these are what give us our value, our identity.
But they are based on lies we believe because of how others have treated us. Or maybe our culture, our friends, our school, our leaders, and even family members and church leaders have fed us lies about our true identity.
family vacation at the jersey shore 2021
One of my favorite devotional writers speaks to these very issues and causes us to look self-rejection square in the face:
When we have come to believe in the voices that call us worthless and unlovable, then success, popularity, and power are easily perceived as attractive solutions. The real trap, however, is self-rejection. As soon as someone accuses me or criticizes me, as soon as I am rejected, left alone, or abandoned, I find myself thinking, "Well, that proves once again that I am a nobody." ... Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the "Beloved." Being the Beloved constitutes the core truth of our existence.
Henri Nouwen, Life of the Beloved
This is a real eye-opener, isn’t it? And in a very real sense, our self-rejection is rejection of our loving Creator God. He calls us His masterpiece, His beloved image bearer, hidden in our humanity.
For we are God’s masterpiece [poema in Greek]. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10 NLT
So dear friend, what lie is it you are believing, causing you to live in self-rejection rather than embracing God’s love and delight in you? Reject the lie and live wholeheartedly from who you really are, your Creator’s beloved masterpiece, the “poem” He is speaking in His beautiful world.
See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are. 1 John 3:1 NLT
My Beloved
I am my Beloved’s and my Beloved is mine.
The relationship sought since the beginning of time.
He offers it freely, His love and forgiveness
Others should accept it, but for me, I have missed it.
My sins are too many, too large and too bad.
Forgiveness for me is just not to be had.
So, you’re saying My sacrifice wasn’t enough?
Perhaps I should have died twice on that cross.
Oh, Jesus, My Savior. I was thinking all wrong!
Of course it’s enough and to You I belong.
With assurance I say without looking behind
I am My Beloved’s and My Beloved is mine.
Penny Mandeville
Prayer
Lord, I embrace Your design for me, Your image bearer, Your masterpiece. Dispel the lies I have been believing and teach me to walk in Your truth and Your love every day. I receive Your words calling me Your Beloved. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Reflections
1. Ask the Lord to reveal to you what it might be that you are rejecting about yourself – your personality, your appearance, your gender, your family, your present job, where you live, your abilities or lack thereof, etc. Could this rejection be a result of comparing yourself to others?
2. Write these things down in your journal. Then go through one by one. Confess your self-rejection to the Lord, thanking Him for His forgiveness.
3. Then thank God for each and ask the Lord how He might be using them in your life. Record any insights He reveals.
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