“But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.” And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.” Matthew 13:57-58. NIV
What if Jesus would have allowed the life limiting views of the people of his hometown, Nazareth, to determine his ministry and impact? We certainly know this would never have happened because he was God’s Son in human form. But consider that he was rejected by those who arguably knew him best, because of his family and upbringing.
“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offense at him.” Matthew 13:55-57 NIV
So here he was, performing miracles, healing the sick, speaking with undeniable wisdom and providing viewpoints on scripture never heard nor considered, and sin showed up. When the people were astounded at his teaching, they just could not get beyond his upbringing. Frankly, they could not get out of their own sinful ways of judging and receive the gift that stood among them.
“Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked.” Matthew 13:54 NIV
So when Jesus came and they just had time to receive and consider his teaching, they were amazed. The message of truth and hope that he taught amazed them. The depth of knowledge and the truth of his message amazed them. They were amazed, then sin crept in.
I know so many really wonderful people. God has blessed me with the gift of amazing people in my life. People who sharpen me. Challenge me. Correct me. Encourage me. Pray for me. People who know me and yet still love me. God’s love for me is shown in its greatest form by the people that he has gifted into my life.
I find it profoundly sad that many amazingly gifted people that I know hide their talent for fear of rejection. They bury the talent as the parable teaches because of fear of response. There is an all too human element that says “don’t risk and don’t be vulnerable” because of the chance of rejection. So the World is denied the gift of many people’s contribution because of the risk and fear of rejection.
Thomas Edison said when asked about the process of developing the light bulb: “I have not failed 10,000 times—I’ve successfully found 10,000 ways that will not work.” He then went on to say “If we all did the things we are really capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.” So if Edison chose fear of rejection because of failure, the World might have toiled in the dark for many more years or decades.
While I love to write and be a storyteller, there is risk in exposing my heart. There is risk in sharing things that are intimate to me with a broader audience. My sharing what’s God places in my heart exposes my limited intellect and untrained writing ability. I choose to share because I choose to believe that there is a message in my thoughts for someone. That is way more than enough.
As I write this I think of several wonderfully talented people that I know who are standing on the sideline because of doubt or hurt. I think of numerous people who have drawn within themselves because of hurt received from equally broken people. Oh how I pray that they will just trust and choose gifts over fear. The World desperately needs the gifts of everyone sidelined by fear of rejection. The World needs you!
I think of my beautiful friend who shed her cocoon of doubt and brokenness, who now showers literally thousands each week with her incredible talents of singing, leading and walking alongside her Pastor husband as they build our church’s newest campus. Thank you, Kim for rejecting the sin of doubt and releasing the God-given talents delivered through your generous smile to so many. Thank you for exemplifying courage in the face of doubt. Thank you for rejecting the limitations of rejection and replacing them with the multiplying effect of courage and encouragement.
75% of people have a fear of public speaking. There was a practice when preparing to speak publicly that taught to ‘view your audience as if they are in their underwear.’ The thought process being, realize that your audience is just made up of people like you. Recognizing that people who may reject what you are contributing are equally broken, sinful and in need may help you accept that your contribution is a needed gift worth the risk.
Lastly I believe Jesus teaches us to focus on the areas and the people who accept us and encourage us. He teaches us that there is so much ground needing plowed (people needing your gifts), that wasting time with people who don’t accept your gifts is well, simply a waste of your valuable and limited time. Pray for those who reject your gifts because they are equally broken. Pray that they too will move from judging to contributing. Recognize that they are God’s children, whose gifts far exceed their limiting opinions. They have value as you have value.
“But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” Acts 9:15-16 ASV
You’ve got this.