Three
and a half days without a mirror, electricity, internet, or computer. Three and
a half days of peace, community, rest, reflection, worship, mountains, and cool
air.
Saturday
marked the beginning of a week-long vacation from school. My work hiatus started with a relaxing 3 ½ hour trip outside of Port-au-Prince to the
forested mountains beyond. Each day hearkened a unique rest that I hadn’t
imagined going into this trip. There were no feelings of missing out on
something or not fully meeting potential or expectation. The time was
completely removed from limitless options to “do” stuff and to achieve things.
It was
purely a time of rest. Each day I fell asleep in a hammock strung between two
pine trees. I wrote down reflections, dreams, emotions, notes, and things God
spoke to me. I began reading the Book of Numbers. I began reading a new book, Dealing with the Rejection and Praise of Man
by Bob Sorge, that was lent to me by a friend. This book is steadily
convicting me at the point of the journey I am on and where I have been in the
past with this issue of relying on man’s acceptance to determine my emotional
wellbeing.
Here are a few selections from Sorge’s book:
“Now it’s
nice to get acceptance from other people. But for the believer it’s not
necessary when we realize we are accepted and embraced by the great God of the universe.
The acceptance of people becomes secondary. All I really need is His
acceptance. When I have that, I can face rejection from anyone and everyone
else.” (28)
“Many people
are touched by people’s acceptance and thus they are touched by their
rejection. Their lives can become like an emotional roller coaster. Say something
nice to them, and they’re riding high; say something the wrong way to them, and
they’re devastated.” (30)
How often in the past I have relied on the praise of man to measure my aptitude, giftings, success. Somehow, those around me always sung choruses of praise to me. How often in my current season have I faced rejection from man; I have quaked under the words, the hurt.
I am
reminded of how fortunate I am to hold so many precious gifts from my Father. He has provided in ways beyond measure, and when I take the time to write
them down I am amazed at how faithful He has been throughout my history. Even
on this journey of learning the proper place for praise/rejection of man, I see
His graciousness as I stupidly find myself on that “emotional roller coaster”
time and time again. I am thankful that He has continued to provide for each
part of my being in ways that I could not begin to measure. 
As Thomas
Obediah Chisholm wrote from experience:
"Great
is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I
have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!"
Thank You, dear Father for drawing me close and inviting me in. :)
