You know the story about Abraham Lincoln. He was defeated seven times for elective office before winning the Presidency of the United States. He certainly defied the odds. And he did not give up.

Then there was Vincent van Gogh. Van Gogh earned all of $85 from his paintings during his lifetime. One hundred years after his death, just one painting alone, Dr. Bachet, sold for the incredible sum of $82.5 million.

Then there was this itinerant, middle eastern preacher who lived some 2,000 years ago. His ideas were definitely rejected by the people of his hometown, as well as the religious leaders of his time and country. Yet he continued his ministry. It was Divine Defiance?

Rejection. If Abraham Lincoln, Vincent van Gogh, or Jesus of Nazareth had let rejection rule their lives, and let it keep them from doing and saying what they felt sure to be right, our world would be incredibly impoverished today.