Jephthah was ordained by God to be a mighty man of valor. But he had one problem. His mom was a harlot. His dad had other sons by a respectable woman but Jephthah was judged not for his mistake but his mom’s. He was labeled by his brothers, “The son of another.” His brothers drove him away. Denied him of his inheritance.

Jephthah left. Gave up His inheritance. He went looking to be celebrated rather than tolerated.

But it didn’t matter where Jephthah went, he was called to be a man of valor. So he fled to the land of Tob. Rejected. Dejected. But soon, he had a following. Scoundrels saw what his brothers refused to see. He became a leader, a man of valor of others who were dejected, rejected, outcasts. He was now celebrated rather than tolerated.

Friends, others may have rejected you. Your family may have failed to see the treasure within you. Your lineage may contain people of ill-repute (Jesus’ lineage contains a prostitute). You may have rough edges that need smoothing. But the gifts and the callings within you are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). What God has purposed for your life, no man, no rejection, no circumstance can stop. Only you can prevent the will of God for your life.

If you are true to who you are. If you refuse to allow others to define you. If you refuse to search for acceptance in others and rest in God’s acceptance, doors will open. You will find your place of belonging. You will walk in the callings and the gifts God has for you. You will find your place of celebration.

Go be who God has called you to be! Walk in your calling even if you find yourself walking alone for a moment.

“So Jephthah fled from his brothers and settled in the land of Tob, where a gang of scoundrels gathered around him and followed him.” Judges‬ ‭11:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬