Answering God’s Call: Navigating Life’s Rejections and Divine Invitations
Leviticus 6-7; Matthew 22; Psalm 118
Have you ever tried to plan something or include people in a project who just couldn’t care less? It’s painful. Painful because maybe you thought there was initial excitement. Painful because you believed there was initial agreement. Painful because you spent lots of time and energy preparing for some group dynamic, only to find yourself sitting alone.
Even as I write this, I am almost recalling a repressed childhood memory, or the hint of one, where no one showed up for a much-anticipated slumber party.
Push it down.
Push it down.
Anyway, we’ve probably all felt the sting of rejection at some point in our life. It hurts.
Jesus tells a parable that brings us into the sting of His own heart.
Matthew 22: 1 “And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, 3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.”’ 5 But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them.”
The invitations had been sent, all the preparations made, and those who were most wanted, perhaps most appropriate to attend, didn’t show. They had no regard for the king’s effort and desire.
They had their own stuff going on. Business to attend to. Other things to do.
Some invitees, so annoyed by the invitation, abused those who did the inviting. There was a disdain.
Why the violence, though? Why such hatred toward the king’s invitation?
Could it be that the invitation itself served as an indictment to business as usual? The invitation itself stood as a witness against the status quo.
I wonder.
7 “The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy.
How many times has the Lord called us? ‘Come and pray! Come be with Me.’ And how many times have we stayed exactly where we are, disregarding the Lord’s invitation, to watch another show, or listen to that same friend’s drama from the week before?
I’ve done it.
I’m not proud to say that I am guilty of hearing that still small voice of the Lord call me into His banquet hall, where He has prepared a table for me, even in the presence of my enemies (Psalm 23), and I have turned away. Seeking solace in the familiar, seeking distraction from the real and authentic, waving some excuse as I said, no.
And for that, I’m sorry.
At some point, if we continue to disregard, it’s highly possible that we will stop being invited. The Lord might leave us to ourselves and invite others in our place.
9 “Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ 10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.”
I’m left considering the surpassing worth of Jesus. I’m left considering the desire of our Great King, to fill the room and even the kingdom with those who will know and acknowledge the surpassing worth of His Son.
I continue to ponder this verse from Hebrews 3: 7 “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, ‘Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts…’
Father, King of all kings, thank you for the invitation! Thank you that today I do hear your voice. Help me respond daily. Help me not to get entangled and distracted with life. I want to come into your banquet hall. I want to see and acknowledge the surpassing worth of your Son, Jesus. Make my heart always soft, never dull, and never hard.
Deepening Faith: Reflective Journal Prompts
- Reflecting on Rejection: Recall a time when you felt the sting of rejection or indifference, similar to the king in Matthew 22. How did you cope with those feelings, and what did you learn about resilience and moving forward?
- God’s Invitation: Consider moments when you feel God has invited you into a deeper relationship or experience. How have you responded to these calls? Are there times when you’ve ignored or postponed your response?
- Balancing the Mundane and the Divine: Journal about the challenges of balancing everyday life with your spiritual calling. How do you prioritize your time between the mundane (like work or daily tasks) and the divine (like prayer or worship)?
- Personal Response to God’s Call: Reflect on how you personally respond to God’s invitations, like the call to prayer or service. What motivates your response, and how do you wish to improve your receptiveness to these calls?
- The Value of Jesus in Your Life: Meditate on the ‘surpassing worth’ of Jesus as mentioned in the post. How does this perception shape your faith, your actions, and your priorities in life?
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