Meetings
2nd Tuesday
of the month
7:30pm

Claims Office
Tom Hanson
Claims Director
184 Wipple Federal Building
1 Federal Drive
St. Paul, MN55111
(612) 970-5669

GIVING IN TO THE SYSTEM

1 Peter 2:4

And coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but choice and

precious in the sight of God

"Pastor, I'm a loser," a high school boy told me dejectedly. He

explained that he wanted to be a star football player, but had been cut

from the team. Instead of being in the spotlight as an athlete, he had to

settle for being a member of the pep band. And compared to star

quarterbacks, clarinet players were losers at his school.

The largest group of people today respond to rejection like this boy

did: by simply giving in to the system. They continue their efforts to try to

earn approval, but the inevitable rejection by others prompts them to

believe that they really are unlovable and rejectable. The system says

that the best, the strongest, the most beautiful, and the most talented are

"in." Those who don't fit those categories--which includes most of us--are

"out," and we succumb to society's false judgment of our worth. As a

result, a large segment of the population is plagued by feelings of

worthlessness, inferiority and self-condemnation.

This person may have trouble relating to God. If he blames God for

his state, it will be difficult to trust Him. "You made me a lowly clarinet

player instead of a star quarterback," he complains. "If I trust You with

other areas of my life, how do I know You won't make me a loser there

too?"

By giving in to the system's false judgment, this person can only

look forward to more and more rejection. He has bought the lie and he

even rejects himself. Therefore, any success or acceptance which comes

his way will be questioned or doubted on the basis of what he already

believes about himself.

God has not equally distributed gifts, talents or intelligence, but He

has equally distributed Himself. Our sense of worth comes from knowing

who we are as children of God. "See how great a love the Father has

bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we

are" (1 John 3:1).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for creating me the way You have

and for making me Your child. I find my worth in You.