But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
~1 Samuel 16:7 NLT
He was a washed-up shoe salesman caught up in a town gossiping war. And life’s never easy when rejection comes.
In the Andy Griffith episode, Those Gossipin’ Men, Aunt Bee and a friend sit in the local drug store, enjoying a cool drink on a hot day. While spreading a little gossip among themselves, they are startled when a stranger comes in and tries to sell them a pair of shoes. Surprised because he didn’t try extremely hard. In fact, they label him as the tamest shoe salesman they have ever seen. He offers once, they say no, and he goes on about his business. Little did he know a gossiping war between the ladies of the town and the men who hung around at Floyd’s Barber Shop would soon engulf him.
Prior to the salesman’s arrival, Andy enters the drugstore to get sulfur powder. Barney has cut his finger while cleaning his pistol. The cut is small, but several hours later, someone calls the sheriff’s office to report that Barney has shot himself in the chest and has died. When Aunt Bea and her friend hurry to console Andy, they are surprised to see Barney still standing. That’s when Andy accuses them of being the biggest gossipers in town.
The tame traveling shoe salesman gives Aunt Bee and her friend an opportunity to prove to Andy that as much gossip comes out of Floyd’s Barber Shop. So, when Andy and Barney ask who the stranger is, the two women plant a seed of doubt in their “conceited” male minds. They tell Andy and Barney who the man claims to be but then question the man’s honesty. He didn’t seem eager to sell shoes.
Initially, Andy dismisses their suspicions and again accuses them of spreading gossip. But then, he himself became suspicious. Before long, he and the other men in town turn a washed-up shoe salesman into a New York City television producer. Soon, Andy and the other men in town gather their sons and daughters, usher them to the man’s hotel room, and have them audition for the traveling salesman. In the process, they buy numerous pairs of shoes—so much so that the failed salesman sets a company record for a day’s sales.
The traveling salesman came to town a rejected mess, but left a success. Eliab knew a little about rejection, too—as did all young David’s brothers. As they passed before Samuel—the prophet God had sent to their father’s house to select the next king of Israel—they each felt the sting of rejection. And imagine how much more humiliating the experience was when they discovered God had chosen their younger sheep-tending brother.
Rejection in life is inevitable. We’ll be turned down for promotions, teams, dates, marriage proposals, jobs, projects, clubs, community organizations, assignments, etc. And we cannot deny that rejection hurts. Acceptance is one of our basic needs, but not every person, business, organization, or club will accept us. Perhaps not even every church. And, yes, some of our efforts will fall short of others’ expectations.
The good news is that while others may reject us or the things we propose, God never will as long as we don’t push Him away through unbelief. God selected David because He knew David was a boy (and would later be a man) after God’s own heart. In that respect, nothing has changed. God accepts every person who wants to love and serve Him. No turning away. No turning down.
Life teaches us—often the hard way—that rejection is a part of our existence. But not as it relates to our walk with God. He always walks by our side. Nothing we do will drive Him away. Nothing we face will be so intense that He can’t walk us through it. And He will love and accept us no matter what–now and throughout eternity.
Let God’s acceptance bring you the comfort you need when others reject you or something you’ve done.
Such a good reminder—“Let God’s acceptance of us bring the comfort we need.” Yes!
Thank you.