“I have called you by your name; you are Mine.” Isaiah 43:1

Hey friends! It’s such a blessing to come in touch with you through this small piece of writing. I hope the New Year has awakened a fresh fire and enthusiasm in you to achieve greater and in all that you achieve, you would bring glory to the matchless name of Jesus.

Well, on the other hand if you haven’t really felt the real energy in you to get you going to your perfect destination or if you have been struggling and join along with king David to say, “I’m a reproach of men, and despised by the people” (Psalm 22:6) then here’s something you’ll have to hear:

Gladys Aylward, very fondly called the ‘Small Woman’ because of her stature, was a missionary to China. After she came to the saving knowledge of Christ at age of 14, she had this unquenchable thirst in her to reach out to the Chinese and bring them the good news. But instead of seeing herself in the place God wanted her to be, she was rejected by the CIM as being unfit and too old to go to china. But nothing would stop Gladys from pursuing what God had kept in her heart. She travelled to China all by herself and went on to become the ‘foot inspector’ in China and saved a hundred orphan children during the time of the Japanese attack on China in 1940. A small woman as she called herself rejected by men only to be chosen to bring hundreds to Christ through her persistence.

Such is the life of Dr. John Scudder Sr., a man rejected by his father for his decision to be a medical missionary to India (he was the first medical missionary to India) and having lost his children on his way to India, would stand for 11 full hours preaching and distributing tracts to the common people. The very mountain on which he shed tears to God to bring a revival is where his granddaughter (Dr. Ida Scudder, completely unaware of her grandpa’s prayers) went on to build the now great Christian Medical College, Vellore serving millions of patients all over India in the Spirit and compassion of Jesus Christ. A man who lost his dear children and rejected by his father only to be chosen to be a light to the gentiles and to pass on that torch to generations thereafter.

“Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God”, said William Carey, a newly ordained minister was rejected by the Baptist leaders for his vision for overseas missions. Yet he found a way to reach India through one of the French ships as the British wouldn’t allow anyone to preach. Having lost his five year old son and seeing his dear wife deteriorating into a severe mental illness he still persisted and expected greater things. Having waited upon the Lord amidst this entire tragedy, he did see God do great things by enabling him to translate the Bible in 213 languages and dialects in India! He also founded the Serampore College which offers education to thousands today. And more than ever his untiring zeal for God has raised many other missionaries who in turn impacted the life of millions. A man rejected by the professionals only to be chosen to carry The Word and inspire many!

“The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17) inspired Martin Luther, a German monk, rejected and condemned by the early Catholic church because of his teaching- that forgiveness and salvation is only through faith and accepting the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and not by offering money and that the Bible was the legitimacy for interpreting the word of Christ and not the church. His reformation later paved the right avenue for people to get into a right relationship with God. A man rejected by the highest authority – the church only to be chosen to bring the truth to light, so hell can be empty and heaven full! Hallelujah!

Oh! There are so many, my dear friend! The apostles- seen as illiterate and unworthy, chosen by God to put to shame the wise! Gideon, the youngest of the weakest clan in all of Israel was chosen to be a judge of God’s own people! David, just a shepherd boy, not found worthy even by his father to be chosen, was indeed chosen to be one of the greatest rulers in history! Moses, a runaway and nomad was chosen to be a prophet about whom the Bible testifies that he was one who knew God face to face! Joseph rejected and abused by his brothers chosen to be the next in line to the pharaoh and to save the whole world from famine! Daniel, a slave was chosen to rule and to stand as a true witness to his living God in the very enemy land he was in!

So now if you think you’ve been rejected and found unworthy by all- ALL, then hear this sweet statement : “I CHOSE YOU” (JOHN 15:16). And just in case you feel God does not understand your pain though He has chosen you then let me introduce to you the character of this beautiful Person who has chosen you. The bible says:

“He (Jesus) is despised and rejected by men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, And we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised and we did not esteem Him” (Isaiah 53:3)

My precious friend, it’s time for you to arise, the God who was rejected by His own has chosen you, rejected by all to be the perfect revelation of His unfailing love, everlasting mercy and unlimited majesty. Are you willing to run for the One who became as nothing for you?

He did not give upon you, so please, you don’t give upon Him. Jesus loves you.

Wishing you a year of rejection and yet chosen to be who you really are.

Sis Ida Christine A

God’s love missions family

**please write back to us so we can share your joy in testifying the Lord for His mercy**