2 Timothy 1:15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
Eagles are solitary birds that fly alone at very high altitude. They do not have a flock-mentality. This enhances the hunting efficiency and avoids distraction. To achieve our God-given purpose and to leave an indelible mark on the earth on our future generation we must develop “eagle-focus”. The eagle’s eyes have very high-resolution colour vision with intense and unwavering focus. Hence these birds stay away from distractions from other birds and fly high. Humans on the other hand are considered “social-animals” with a ‘flock-mentality’. Hence, the knife of “rejection” is necessary at times to change the flock-mentality into eagle-focus.
It is estimated that Paul would have reached and preached in about 30-35 cities and established churches. He covered modern Turkey/(Asia Minor), northern Greece/(Macedonia), Greece/(Achaia), Syria, Judea, Israel, Rome and beyond. He went on three missionary journeys and reached the multitudes. Yet, at the fag end of his journey, he writes to his spiritual son, Timothy, “everyone has deserted me”. He was a man who suffered much for the gospel but persecution did very little damage on Paul. He praised his way through the storms and considered it a privilege to be persecuted for Christ – but we hear the pain of rejection in the above verse from Paul.
Rejection causes inexplicable pain. However, we can live purposefully with laser-focused life only if the knife of rejection cuts out the suckers, draggers and debasers from our life. There are some people who are high maintenance. They are very needy and cling to us. Others waste their time and ours. There are few others who are indecisive and will constantly instill doubt. Such people slow us down. And there will be others who devalue our anointing/calling/purpose and shoot down big dreams. If we don’t move away from suckers, draggers and debasers, God will surgically remove them through the process of rejection.
Rejection is a surgical process:
- Flock: Rejection helps us to overcome the flock-mentality.
- Focus: Rejection trains us to laser-focus on our purpose.
- Fervor: If you were rejected for Christ-sake, consider it an honour and be filled with fervor for Him.
If we don’t move away from draggers and debasers, God will remove them through the surgical knife of rejection.
Prayer: Father God, make me laser-focused on my purpose and calling. Amen.
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