The Nobel Prize

Author Donald Miller recounts a story about a friend of his who had hit rock bottom due to his alcoholism. Several months later, that same friend picked him up at an airport, clean, sober, and robustly healthy. When Miller inquired about the obvious change in attitude and appearance, his friend detailed a single incident that gave him the strength to endure a painful rehabilitation. It seems his friend’s father had flown in to attend a recovery meeting, and in that meeting, with his father present, the young man was required to confess all his issues and weaknesses. When he finished, his father stood up to address the group of addicts his son was a part of. He looked toward his son and said respectfully, “I have never loved my son as much as I do at this moment. I love him, and I want all of you to know how much I love him.”

From that moment on, his friend told him for the first time in his life, he was able to believe God loved him too. He believed that if God, his father, and his wife, all loved him, then he had all the support he needed to fight the disease that had plagued him his entire adult life. Their strength became his strength, and he finally trusted that he could overcome his addiction.

We all come to turning points in our life. Sometimes during those crucial moments, we are the recipient of some wonderful encouragement that makes us feel like we can conquer the world. Unfortunately, there are also significant moments when we are abandoned, criticized or ignored, leading to feelings of rejection.

Nothing quite hurts like the message of rejection. Somehow, it conveys the implication that we have not measured up to a certain standard. Feelings of rejection create an internal storm of immense proportions. Rejection can lead to anger, resentment, insecurity, control issues, codependency, and other behavioral concerns.

Opposite that, the truth is our unconditional acceptance of Christ is more than just a “free pass into heaven.” It is a profoundly life-changing experience. Initiating a relationship with God makes a dynamic impact on our self-esteem as well as on our relationships with others because now we know how much we are valued.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:1, “Now, there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Jesus paid the ultimate price for us, and He did it purely out of love. His life was, and is, the opposite of rejection. On occasion, usually due to our own bad choices, we may experience negative responses or painful circumstances, but no matter what we have done, He never rejects those who believe in Him.

After becoming the first black woman to win both the Nobel Prize and the Pulitzer Prize for literature, author Toni Morrison was asked what teachers she’d had, or what she had read that inspired her to such heights of literary greatness. She replied warmly, “When I was a little girl, and I walked into a room, my dad’s eyes would light up. There is no other reason.”

My prayer this week is to express the hope that we appreciate the full scope of The Cross. Because of His sacrifice, we understand that when Jesus looks at us, His eyes light up.

With love,

Pastor Mike Howard