When God Closes One Door...
As anyone who reads this blog fairly regularly knows, I have been very influenced by the work of Seth Godin. When it comes to marketing and building a tribe, as well as the art of being an “artist” the guy is a genius. Well he has started a new publishing venture called The Domino Project. Working with Amazon.com, I really do believe it may revolutionize the publishing industry.
Well one day I received an email stating they were looking for a street team for The Domino Project and there was an application process involved. This street team would get free advanced copies of books and other information to help to promote their products. I jumped at the chance to be a part of something Seth is working on. I wrote about the way I’ve been influenced by his work, how this tribe has grown and flourished and about all the things the Lord is starting to do through us. My application was rejected.
Why do I post this? Because as artists and creatives, we will all deal with rejection sooner or later and it can be tough, but there are things we need to remember:
1. It’s not an indictment of you or your work. I still love Seth Godin’s stuff and I will still promote it tweet is and post it. He has had and will continue to have a major influence on my work as a creative and a leader. I just wasn’t a fit for this project. Sometimes you won’t be a fit either and that’s okay. The only way to fit everyone’s mold (if that is even possible) is to be totally bland and thoroughly unremarkable.
2. Rejection is not always permanent. If you are convinced that this is something you want, need and are led by God to do, rejection can make you work harder to enhance and develop your gift.
3. Sometimes rejection is a sign that you are headed in the wrong direction. That’s okay too because the best thing to do when you are headed in the wrong direction is turn around. In my case, I really feel like this may have taken time away from other things I need to be doing to be faithful to my calling, so God closed the door. I’m not worried, I know another one will open because God is good.
If we keep these things in mind, rejection is a gift. It helps us to hone our choices, make better ones and helps us prioritize. Be careful with knee jerk reactions. Don’t stubbornly bang against a closed door (unless God is leading) and don’t just up and quit. Rejection is a part of life for everyone, but especially artists, but so is God’s love. Trust and obey.
Bible Reading Guide
An important part of following God is knowing what He wants and a great way to know what He wants is to read His Word. Follow this plan and you will finish reading the Bible in a year.
Matthew 21,22; Psalm 5
You can also download your own chart here.
AMOKArts 
I agree that rejection is part of the business. It is a hard to write with confidence amid rejections. People can be hurtful and the comments they make even flippantly can be demoralizing. Rejections should be looked at as learning tools to train us to improve.
Excellent point. I agree wholeheartedly. They can be really hard but they are helpful if we don’t let them make us quit.
As a fellow artist I have had to learn not to take rejection personally. God is in control of my life and I need to trust His judgement. I just try to do things by faith (which is what pleases Him) and let Him direct my steps
Amen,
Hoping many more who read take that same attitude.
God bless and welcome to the blog.
Dave
Waiting is tough. Not sure who sings the song “While I wait.” Lord, I will serve you even while I wait.
Can we be gracious and patient and loving and filled with worship, even while we wait on something we want really, really, really bad and we believe God wants us to do?
Sigh. It tough. But it’s what we’re called to do. Waiting. Rejection. Two of my least fave things. But they can also be good for me. Thanks for posting.
Thanks for the reply Teresa. I am in total agreement even slightly grudgingiy on the being good for me part, lol.
Take care,
Dave