Jessi Morgan Devotions for the Christian Heart Podcast
Jessi Morgan in 2023 had a traumatic experience that shaped how she views life and her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God has laid it on her heart to share her experiences and inspire others to put God first in every aspect of their life like she finally did in hers. Having her daughter born 4 months early really made Jessi lean on the Lord for comfort and guidance. And today she stands here starting her own 10-15 minute podcast focusing on weekly devotionals about what God can do for you and what He's done for her.
Jessi Morgan Devotions for the Christian Heart Podcast
Rejection is a Blessing
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Have you ever looked back at a painful rejection and realized it was actually the best thing that could have happened to you? That crushing "no" or deafening silence that once felt like failure was actually divine protection?
This week, we dive into the biblical story of Saul and David from 1 Samuel 15-16, exploring how God's rejection of Saul as king wasn't just punishment, but protection for Israel. When Saul selectively obeyed God's command regarding the Amalekites – keeping the best livestock while destroying the rest – he revealed a fundamental character flaw. His partial obedience exposed a heart that chose convenience over commitment, leading to his rejection and David's anointing.
I share my personal journey through three pivotal career rejections that once crushed me. Had any of those doors opened, I would have been locked into inflexible career paths.
The message becomes clear: God's rejections are often His redirections. When He closes a door, it's not to hurt us but to guide us toward His better plan.
Share this episode with someone struggling with rejection, and connect with me on Instagram or TikTok @jessimorganfaith to continue the conversation. Subscribe so you never miss these weekly devotionals that bring God's word into our everyday struggles.
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Hello, hello. You're listening to the Jesse Morgan Devotions for the Christian Heart Podcast, episode 70. This week's devotional is titled Rejection is a Blessing 1 Samuel 15-16. Let's go. Hi. I'm Jesse Morgan. I used to just share home decor and renovation tips on social media, but now I'm sharing something even closer to my heart my journey and love for Jesus Christ, my Savior. Welcome to the Jesse Morgan Devotions for the Christian Hot Podcast.
Speaker 1:This is a weekly devotional. I started back in May 2024, but the inspiration for it came much earlier. It was rooted in a faith journey that began when my daughter was born, four months early in 2023. Through that challenging time, god worked in ways that truly amazed me. On this podcast, I share personal stories of faith, woven together with scripture to show just how incredible God's word can be in our everyday lives. My hope is that through these stories, you'll be encouraged, uplifted and reminded of God's love and presence, no matter what you're going through. So I invite you to spend less than 15 minutes with me each week as we reflect on these devotionals together. Let's all pray within Rejection is a blessing. Key passages 1 Samuel, 15 through 16. Hello and welcome back. I am so excited to be here for this week.
Speaker 1:Today's episode is really special because we are finally really being introduced to David. I'm so excited. I think David is one of the most fascinating people in the Bible. I did a separate devotion on him myself and I loved it, and he's such a complex character, complex person and he's just such a great reflection of what it is to make mistakes as a child of God and then also how to admit those mistakes and correct it and always stay loyal to the Lord. So, david, I'm so excited that we are now entering the story of David.
Speaker 1:Anyways, for this week, like I said, the chapters we're focusing in on is chapters 15 and 16. These chapters give us such a powerful picture of these two men that we're going to be discussing right now, which is Saul and David. When we think about Saul and David, what really stands out is how different their beginnings are. Saul was chosen because the people of Israel wanted a king. Remember that. They complained and said we want one, just like the other nations, and God, knowing they were rejecting him as king, allowed it and he gave them Saul.
Speaker 1:Now, in chapter 15, saul does something that shows us exactly why he wasn't the right man for the job. God gave him very specific instructions defeat the Amakites completely and destroy everything. But Saul decided to do things his own way. He kept the best livestock and then confronted. And then, when confronted by Samuel, he tried to justify it, saying he was saving it to sacrifice to God. But that wasn't obedience. That was Saul picking and choosing what he thought was best.
Speaker 1:It reminds me of when I ordered a Philly cheesesteak Hear me out. I like the steak, but I'm not crazy about all the onions. And so there I am sitting there picking out all the onions before I eat it, and by the end I'm thinking at times am I even enjoying this the way it's supposed to be? That's what Saul did. He nitpicked God's command, keeping what he wanted and discarding the rest. And here's the lesson Partial obedience is still disobedience. You can't improvise with God's word and then excuse it later. Because of that, god rejected Saul as king. But here's the beautiful part Sometimes God's rejection is actually our protection.
Speaker 1:The best thing that ever happened to me was getting rejected. The best thing that ever happened was getting no callback. The best thing that ever happened was crickets no callback. The best thing that ever happened was crickets. And I know that sounds strange, but as I reflect on my life and these chapters, those moments of rejection shaped everything for me. Let me take you back to three that really marked me Rag and Bone, tory Burch and Sephora. So here we go. Let's start off with the Rag and Boat interview.
Speaker 1:At the time I was a merchandise manager at Macy's in New York and if you've worked retail you know that title doesn't even begin to cover everything I did. I handled operations, stock sales, analysis, vendor relationship, shortage, training, you name it, I did it. And customers. The role was hands on, running the business, almost like a store manager, even though I didn't have that title yet. So when Rag and Bone posted for an assistant store manager role, I thought this is it, this is my step up.
Speaker 1:I went into the interview excited, sitting across from the store director and another assistant manager, and you know what? It was brutal. The store director kept pressing me, saying so what do you do exactly? I explain everything how I ran analysis, coached my team, worked with buyers, but it just wasn't clicking with him. He said your role sounds so all over the place, I'm not sure you'd be a good fit here. That stung here. I was pouring out everything I did and it felt like he dismissed it. I walked out of that interview with like the biggest like pit in my stomach, feeling like maybe all my hard work meant nothing. So the next story let's go to my next one, which would be Tory Burch story. Let's go to my next one, which would be Tory Burch. Now, you know, the Tory Burch is a very, very high luxury in retailer and I you know every those famous little shoes with the little emblem, tees, those are like the thing you know anyways, tory Burch. So here we go.
Speaker 1:Not long after I I interviewed, I interviewed a Tory Burch flagship on Madison Avenue. I interviewed a Tory Burch flagship on Madison Avenue and let me tell you, I came prepared. I wore Tory Burch head to toe. I studied their demographics. I knew my resume inside and out. I knew the store inside and out. I nailed the first interview. The second interview was even better. The store manager and I clicked right away. She told me you're amazing, you're exactly what we're looking for.
Speaker 1:By the third interview I was confident this job was mine. So two days later, waiting on that phone call, I finally got the call. It came down to you and another candidate. They said and we chose the other candidate. No feedback, no explanation, just you're amazing, but we picked someone else, and you know what that almost hurt. More than criticism, I would have preferred them to say you need more leadership experience or you need to work on X, y and Z, but to say you're perfect, but no, that just like haunted me for years.
Speaker 1:That rejection was horrible. So number three rejection experience would be Sephora. I call it the Sephora silence. So here comes Sephora. They had reached out about a role and I thought, hey, this is the one. It aligned with my beauty background and it was in Miami where I was planning to move back. The process dragged on for months. Three interviews each one a month apart. I kept preparing, waiting and hoping. After the last interview, they told me the district manager will get back to you in a week. Well, a week passed, then two, then three. I reached out myself. Nothing. I emailed again after two months still silence. Nothing. No, yes, no, no, no explanation, just crickets.
Speaker 1:And that rejection hurt the deepest. It made me question my abilities. I thought, even if Sephora doesn't want me, like, maybe I'm just not good enough. And looking back, you know, I see God's fingerprints all over this and all over these closed doors now, if I had gotten the job at Braggin Bone, maybe I would have stayed in New York and missed the chapter that was waiting for me back in Miami. If Tory Burch had hired me, I would have been stuck in a role that actually paid less than what I already made and it might have kept me in a city where my personal life couldn't have grown. And if Sephora had said yes, I would have been tied to a career path that wasn't flexible enough for the life I have now. And here's the kicker Working from home now has been one of the greatest blessings in my life because my daughter, who was born, as you know, four months early. I needed that flexibility, I needed to be present, I needed to be in the hospital every day, and I wouldn't have had that if any of those doors had opened.
Speaker 1:So, yes, rejection hurts, but sometimes God's rejections are simply his re-directions. So that's exactly what we see with Saul. Israel demanded a king, so God gave them what they asked for. Saul looked the part, but he wasn't the right one. His flaws were exposed. He was self-centered, disobedient and impulsive and finally God rejected him. But then came David, god's choice, a man after his own heart, not because of appearances, but because of character, because of what was inside.
Speaker 1:Remember this verse in 1 Samuel 16, 7,. It says that God said this to Samuel. But the Lord said to Samuel do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at things. People look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. God already knew that David will have the heart he loves to rule Israel. He knew he had to close the door on Saul for the sake of his people, and the same is true for us. God closes doors. We don't understand, because he sees the bigger picture. He knows where we need to be and when, and sometimes his rejection is the best thing that positions us for his best.
Speaker 1:So I have two questions for you. Number one, can you think of a rejection in your life that really hurt at the time, but looking back, you see God's protection in it? And number two, are there any doors you're still trying to force open, even though God has clearly closed them? Think about that. I had to think about that too. I'm with you. Some of the stuff that comes to mind. Just think on this and share your thoughts with me on social media or my sub stack, would love to hear from you. I feel like this would be a really great discussion. So, to conclude this message this week, you know, just think of this Instead of focusing on rejection thank God for the blessing or pivot that is about to come in that redirection.
Speaker 1:Let's pray, heavenly Father, thank you for this week. Thank you for this wonderful devotional today. Lord, thank you for this great podcast episode where we're diving into the life of David. Father, we thank you so much for the wonderful story of David and you sharing that with us. And, father, I just pray that anybody listening that's having a tough time, that's dealing with rejection and doesn't understand why, let them get on their knees and pray to you, lord, so they can get the direction that they need. And, father, we just love you so much that you look out for us and that you reject things for us for our own good. And, father, we just praise your holy name for the leadership, the guidance. We know this world is all over the place and, lord, as long as we keep you at the center, we make sure Jesus is the savior of our life. We will be okay. Father, we love you. Thank you so much for everybody listening. God bless in Jesus' name. Amen, till next time.
Speaker 1:Well, that wraps up this week's episode. My prayer is that these devotions bring you a little closer to God each day. If you felt encouraged, don't keep it to yourself. Share this episode with a friend or loved one who could use the same reminder. Be sure to hit subscribe so you never miss a weekly message. And, if you like, leaving a kind review means so much For more. Check the show notes or connect with me on Instagram or TikTok at jessimorganfaith. Until next time. This is Jessi Morgan praying off. Jessi Morgan Devotions the Scenes starting right now. Welcome back to Behind the Scenes. I'm Jesse Morgan, this week's Behind the Scenes.
Speaker 1:Really quick, I just wanted to share another story of rejection. It's not about me, it's about one of my really good friends. Not going to say their name, but let me tell you. They dated this woman, this guy, oh, boy for a very long time and tore a wedge between relationships, some family and this guy literally would just had no regard for my friend, just would go out with his friends, do whatever he had to do, and my friend was so loyal, was a really good girlfriend, she was adored by his family, she treated him with respect, everything, and I always felt like he just had the upper hand in the relationship and it wasn't fair. And after years and years of just you know struggle, she finally got out of it and she left and her family picked her up and she moved away and a couple of years later she married her now current husband. And what a place that she's in now versus where she was. And I know that at the time it was tough, but I felt like God finally just said okay, I'm rejecting this. And he closed that door for her and opened up so many possibilities. And I just wanted to say today that I'm so proud of her.
Speaker 1:And just understand, guys, rejection comes in different forms. Disappointment comes in different forms and, versus dwelling in it, you sometimes have to sit back and say okay, lord, why am I going through this? What am I? Why am I going through this? What have I done to deserve this? Or not even deserve it, but just like, what is the meaning? And that's when, that's why scripture is so important. That's why it's so important to study the word yourself, because you will get something different out of it every time, based on what your needs are at the time and I just encourage you to just sit back and understand why is? Why is there this rejection? Why is there this hardship? Why is there this hardship? So then you can think about what you could maybe do differently. Maybe you realize there's a certain person or certain mindset that you're dealing with that shouldn't be there. And it's just a great way to reflect and change and pivot and redirect right.
Speaker 1:And I just encourage you today that sometimes those rejections, you need to redirect yourself and realize that that rejection is now going to be a blessing in the end and be thankful when you realize it. You may not realize it tomorrow, you may realize it in two weeks, a month, in 12 years, like my friend did, or like for me, with all those rejections of those jobs in the last seven years. I just realized that recently what great blessings those were to be rejected by. You just don't know when it's going to hit you of why God did that, but when you realize it, what a blessing it is and what a time to praise God, because that means God has a detailed plan for you.
Speaker 1:Every person on this earth has a detailed plan from God. The thing is is we have the choice to follow it or not, and we have people in this world that are saved and trying to follow that journey and follow that path, and there's others that have completely rejected it, and there's others that don't even know. And that's why us, as Christians, have to spread the gospel, we have to share what Jesus Christ has done for us, and when we do that, other people get the opportunity to face rejection and then be blessed by the Lord. So until next time, guys, love you so much. Jesse Morgans. Signing off.
