Unwanted In Africa And Unwanted In America: Where Do Rejects Like Me Go
Unwanted in Africa and Unwanted in America: Where Do Rejects Like Me Go to Belong? A Journey of Hope, Faith, and God’s Unfailing Love
In the tapestry of life, there are many threads of joy, peace, and belonging. But for those of us who have been cast aside—who have felt the sting of rejection both in our homeland and in foreign lands—the search for belonging can seem like an endless, soul-crushing journey. For me, the story of being unwanted began in Africa, where I was marginalized and forced to flee from the horrors of violence and oppression. It continued in America, a land that promised freedom and opportunity, yet left me feeling even more alienated and unloved.
But amid all the rejection and isolation, I have found one unshakeable truth: God’s love never rejects us. His Word, both in the Tanakh and the Gospel of Jesus, is clear. While the world may cast us aside, God welcomes us with open arms. No matter where we come from, no matter how unwanted we feel, He is the one place we can always go to belong. This is the ultimate truth that has sustained me and will sustain anyone who feels like an outsider or a reject in this world.
Rejection in Africa: The Struggle of Being Unwanted
In Africa, the land I once called home, I found myself a reject—exiled, oppressed, and dehumanized by a world that didn’t care for my safety or my well-being. Whether it was because of the color of my skin, my background, or the forces of violence tearing apart my community, I was made to feel like I didn’t belong. Apartheid left its scars, and tribal tensions created a world where love and compassion often seemed like distant memories. When I fled Africa, I sought refuge in the promise of America, hoping to escape the fear, pain, and rejection that haunted me there.
The experience of being unwanted in Africa is a painful chapter in my story, and I know it is a reality for many others as well. But as I look back, I find comfort in the Tanakh—the Hebrew Bible—where God consistently speaks to the oppressed and marginalized. Throughout the Tanakh, God’s love and care for those who are rejected, forgotten, and cast aside are clear. These ancient scriptures provide solace for the rejected ones, reminding us that no matter our circumstances, we are always seen and loved by God.
1. God’s Compassion for the Marginalized in the Tanakh
In Psalm 34:18, God speaks to the brokenhearted and the rejected:
> "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
—Psalm 34:18
This verse is a powerful reminder that God does not abandon those who are rejected or in pain. Whether we are unwanted by society or persecuted by others, God draws near to us. He hears our cries and offers His comfort. His presence becomes the refuge where we can find solace, even when the world around us rejects us.
In Isaiah 56:6-7, God promises that even foreigners—those who are often pushed to the margins—will have a place in His Kingdom:
> "And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to serve him, to love the name of the Lord, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant—these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations."
—Isaiah 56:6-7
Here, God’s promise is clear: there is a place in His Kingdom for all people, regardless of their origins or their status in society. The “foreigners” and “strangers” who once felt unwanted are now invited into God’s holy house. This passage is an invitation to those who have been marginalized—those who feel like outsiders—to come near to God and find acceptance, belonging, and joy in His presence.
The Journey to America: The Hope That Turned to Despair
When I arrived in America, I hoped for safety, prosperity, and the opportunity to build a new life. But instead of the welcome I expected, I found myself in a foreign land, still feeling unwanted. I faced the isolation of being a stranger, the pain of not fitting in, and the constant reminder that I didn’t quite belong. The promises of this land—freedom, opportunity, and inclusion—felt like distant illusions.
The reality of being unwanted in America is not unique to me. Millions of immigrants, refugees, and marginalized people come to this country seeking a better life, only to face discrimination, exclusion, and rejection. The pain of being treated as an outsider in a land that claims to be the land of the free is a bitter truth that many know too well.
But in the midst of this, I have found a profound message of hope in the Gospel of Jesus. The Gospel, just like the Tanakh, calls to the rejected and the unwanted, offering a place of rest and belonging. In Jesus, we find the ultimate invitation to come as we are—no matter our past, our race, or our nationality—and find our home in the embrace of a loving Savior.
The Gospel of Jesus: A Place for the Rejected and the Unwanted
In the Gospel, Jesus consistently reaches out to those who are rejected by society—those whom the world has cast aside. He invites them into His Kingdom, showing that there is a place for everyone, regardless of their earthly status.
2. Jesus Welcoming the Outsiders
In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus extends a powerful invitation to all who are weary and burdened—those who feel rejected and unwanted:
> "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
—Matthew 11:28-30
These words are a balm to the soul of anyone who has ever felt rejected or unwanted. Jesus promises to give rest to those who are weary of the rejection they face. He doesn’t turn us away—He invites us to come near, to find solace and peace in Him. In the arms of Jesus, we find a love that transcends borders, a place where we truly belong.
3. The Parable of the Lost Sheep: God’s Pursuit of the Lost
In Luke 15:4-7, Jesus tells the story of a shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine sheep to search for the one that is lost. This story is a vivid reminder that God’s love never gives up on us. He seeks out the lost, the rejected, and the broken. He doesn’t allow us to wander forever without finding our way back to Him:
> "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home."
—Luke 15:4-6
In this parable, we see the heart of God’s love—a love that will never stop searching for those who feel like rejects or outsiders. No matter where we come from or how unwanted we feel, God’s love will go to great lengths to bring us back into His fold, into His Kingdom.
4. Jesus' Love for the Outcasts: The Samaritan Woman
In John 4:7-10, Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at a well—a woman who was an outcast in her society, rejected by her own people because of her race and her past. Yet Jesus speaks to her with kindness and love, offering her living water and inviting her to embrace the new life He offers:
> "Jesus answered her, 'If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.'"
—John 4:10
In this encounter, Jesus breaks down societal barriers and offers the rejected and marginalized a place of belonging. He shows that, in Him, there are no outsiders—only beloved children of God.
Where Do Rejects Like Me Go to Belong?
When the world tells us that we don’t belong, when it casts us aside because of our nationality, race, or background, we can take heart in the fact that God never rejects us. Whether we are unwanted in Africa, unwanted in America, or unwanted anywhere else in the world, God’s love offers a place of belonging, peace, and acceptance.
In the Tanakh and the Gospel of Jesus, we find the profound truth that God welcomes the rejected, the marginalized, the brokenhearted. His love is unconditional, and His Kingdom has room for all people. We are never alone, and we will always have a place with Him.
No matter where we go, no matter what society says, we can always come to Jesus. In His arms, we find a home that no one can take away. This is the ultimate belonging we seek—the place where the rejected find their true home.
