“And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. An if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it not be worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet” (Matthew 10:11-14).
In this section of Matthew, Jesus gives the disciples instructions to preach, as well as the power to heal others and cast out unclean spirits. As they are sent on their way, the verses above are several of the directions given to them. The shaking off of dust from their feet can be applied to us, just as much as it was applied to them.
Jesus did not want his disciples to take the doubt, unbelief, and/or frustration of those they were visiting, with them unto the next place they were to venture. It made me think about how we can have trouble letting go of negative experiences within our own lives. We can sometimes allow a negative experience to intentionally or unintentionally cling us wherever we may go.
The disciples had a mission. They were to continue with their goal of sharing the truth and love of our Heavenly Father, and to help the believers and unbelievers they would come across. Could you imagine what it might have been like if they carried rejection with them? How effective they would have been, if they held on to the negative feelings of unwelcome, and their words ignored? This applies to us as well, for it can be very difficult to share love toward others when our spirit is wounded or angered.
When we experience difficult people and/or environments, we must practice the art of shaking off, for if we do not, we will end up holding on to it and become discouraged. Every offensive word spoken, sticking to us as though warm tar, dripping from shoulders to shoes. It will weigh us down. It will slow us down. It will keep us from what the Heavenly Father wants us to do.
And that is what Satan wants. He wants you to only remember the pain and frustration, more than you remember the act of compassion. He wants you to share that pain, and give it to others so that it spreads. But, the wonderful news is that sharing is a choice. God gives us the ability to choose what we share, and we can choose to share his love for others instead of the pain that Satan delights in. And when it becomes difficult to choose, (as it can be in moments of upset) pray. Pray that God softens your heart. Pray that he gives you the desire to do his will. Some moments will be more challenging than others, but that is okay. God is never too busy, and he lovingly wants to help you through it.
Eternally Loved 