The stone that the builder refused...

The more and more I look back into my life I notice that i have always been searching for approval.  Being an Indian-born, only English language speaking, individual from a nearly unknown city in India (Sindh -- who's even heard of that, its even underlined in MSWord as a typo???), I've always felt like an outcast.

Wouldn't it be great to just have everyone approve of everything I do, to no longer feel like an outcast?  That would be the best thing ever?  Right, RIGHT???

Wrong, this is my biggest sin.

This is all about me, and not about Jesus and what he has done for me.  In the past (and with the tendency even today), I've worshipped the idol called "Approval", who offers me salvation and says "one day everyone will approve of you, if you trust yourself, you have all this work to do, you need to wear a mask because you are not good enough."  He goes on to say, "If you follow me, you will reach your salvation, "Approval" and everyone will love you!"

Much of my struggle boils down to an experience I had about a year ago.  In college I met a girl who I really liked.  Initially we hit it off right away; we would do everything together, go to the dining common, go to the market, watch TV, movies, etc.  However, as the relationship began to fizzle down, I began to fiend her Approval more than anything.  I wanted her to like me, or Approve of me, for almost no logical reasoning but my own gain.

The idol began to overtake me, and led me to make several irrational decisions.

Eventually, I asked her out.

I was rejected.

This is when I met Jesus Christ, who, if you don't already know, over two thousand years ago, was born, fully-man and fully-god, and walked this earth.  As he performed miracles and healed thousands of people, the chief priests and elders at the time rejected him, calling him a false god, and his miracles blasphemy.

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:

“‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
this was the Lord's doing,
and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”

(Matthew 21:42-44 ESV)


Jesus took a risk to deliver the truth to the elders, sinless and blameless, for the purpose of giving life to others.

I took a risk for my idol, approval, with the sole purpose of my own gain.

We were both rejected.  We both felt the same human emotion.  Jesus gets me, he is my homie, he understands what it is like.

But I am sinful, and worship idols, and my only hope is through a relationship with the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Being rejected by this girl, at the time, seemed to be the worst thing in the world for me, however, it has become the cornerstone of my life, and through Jesus, is marveled.

It has become evident that this rejection was the Lord's doing, because he loves me so much.  Through his love, He guarantees salvation, defeat of my idol, and a gospel-centered awaking... similar to how Jesus surpassed the elders, was resurrected, and still lives today.

My pastor at Garden City Church, Justin Buzzard, likes to say "When you ask God for things, you are asking for silver, but he gives you gold."

When I asked this girl out, silver, God gave me gold in his son, Jesus Christ.