You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me. 2 Timothy 1:15

At least that is how Paul felt!  One of the most difficult things in the life of faith is handling rejection.  I remember how deeply I was hurt when a Bishop in Tanzania, a renegade one, once a dear friend and companion in the Gospel, told me in no uncertain terms not to come into his diocese.  It took me a long time and profound repentance, before I could love that person again.

I have discovered that the tie that binds us followers of Jesus is a gift of God’s grace.  To be loved and accepted by others who might be quite different from me is a blessing beyond measure.  Our unity is in Jesus Christ, our mutual Savior and Lord.  There have been times in my life when I was absolutely overcome with the joy of the fellowship I was privileged to have with people very, very unlike myself.

I suppose Paul felt that way.  How is it possible, as time passed, that we read Paul’s letter to Timothy which includes a lament that breaks the heart?  “Everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me.”  As I already noted, that was how he felt and he was humble enough to share that hurt with his young friend Timothy.

All of us who have committed our lives to following Christ will understand sooner or later that we will at times feel rejected.  That feeling is so troublesome because it belies the joy we find in fellowship.  Why should we be so surprised?  We are in love with Jesus who was rejected by his own people and condemned to death on the Cross by Romans.  We read in Isaiah, “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.”  Isaiah 53:3

Pondering this we find grace to endure rejection or praise.  As we join in the heavenly choir, even now, we participate in Christ’s love, a love that knows the pain and joy of the Cross.  Both are of grace.