Marriner’s Moment: From REjection to REsurrection: Pt. 2

By Pastor Melvin O. Marriner
Grove Church

Rising from REjection to REsurrection takes prayer and determination, but no matter what stage in life you are, it is possible to overcome defeat, disappointment and rejection. Isaiah 41:9 reads, “I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners. I said to you: You are My servant; I have chosen you and not rejected you.” No matter what, God does not reject His children!

As you embark upon your journey to achieve your dreams or goals, it’s important for you to take authority over your reality and believe in your God-given purpose. First, you must see your own future and believe it! God has given each of us gifts, talents and a purpose in life. As I have said before, the two most important days in our lives are the day we are born and the day we discover why. Find your purpose and pursue it. Don’t let rejection thwart the purpose and promises God has given you.

There are numerous individuals – some whose names are easily recognized like Oprah Winfrey and Michael Jordan – who were rejected, but instead of accepting that negativity and wallowing in it, they rose to the occasion, stayed in the game and became successful. A recent devotion in Our Daily Bread, recounted that in 1952 Florence Chadwick attempted to swim 26 miles from the coast of California to Catalina Island. After 15 hours, a heavy fog began to block her view, and she subsequently became so disoriented that she gave up. Chadwick later learned that she had quit just one mile short of her goal. Two months later Chadwick made a second attempt to swim to Catalina Island from the coast. Once again, a thick fog settled in, but this time she reached her destination – becoming the first woman to swim the Catalina Channel.

Chadwick said that during her second attempt she kept an image of the shoreline in her mind even when she could not see it. That’s a great lesson for each of us to learn – to keep our eyes on the prize. When obstacles, challenges and naysayers cloud our vision, we must remain focused on our purpose and goals. Hebrews 12:1-2, reminds us to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” When we become discouraged, feel like quitting, or start to buy the lies of the haters, that’s when it is most important to look up and stand on the hope that we have in Christ.
Peace and power,

© Dr. Melvin O. Marriner,
April 2016

We invite you to join us at Grove Church, 5910 West Norfolk Road, Portsmouth, Virginia, Sundays at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., Tuesdays at noon and Wednesdays at 7 p.m.