Working on those rough edges

You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. (I Peter 2:4-5)

We all experience some form of rejection on occasion, so lest we think we are enduring the worst rejection possible, let us not forget the extreme rejection Jesus endured. A life lived well will be subject to some form of criticism and even rejection - the ones doing the criticizing just cannot live with their own choices in the face of the ones we have made, so they ridicule and reject us. It isn't a bad thing when they reject us because it actually shows we are living in such a way that they are convicted just by the example we set.

Rejected by people but chosen by God. We might admit that being rejected by others is kind of hard to endure - it hurts our feelings, wounds our pride, and makes us feel like our lives don't really matter. The feelings will mend, and our pride can take the hit - but to believe our lives don't matter just because they reject us is just plain silly. People can say and do all manner of things, but it is what God sees when he looks into our lives that really matters.

As living stones, we are built TOGETHER into HIS temple. We are not doing this alone - others are right there alongside us and Christ is at the center of us all. He forms the pivotal 'cornerstone' of this great 'building'. As a body of believers, we don't 'tower above' others, but we allow them to find a place of shelter when they need it the most. When an unbeliever walks into our lives, what do they experience? Are they faced with rejection because they dress differently, use language that is a little coarse, or have habits that are damaging and offensive? I hope not!

It isn't the literal walls of the church Christ is building - it is the many hearts and souls redeemed by his blood that make up the church. For a little while, those on the 'outside' of these 'spiritual walls' may feel like it is silly to be part of his church, but as they begin to experience the grace and love of God as we have, they will find their 'perfect fit' right there alongside us. They just don't know God is at work forming their rough edges so they fit into that empty space left just for them. Just sayin!