Shake the Dust Off
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.—Matthew 10:14 (NIV)
At the day’s start, we cringe as we anticipate the demands of the hours ahead. Another person’s urgent needs will call for all our physical strength, sap our emotional reserves, and fill up most of our time. Thoughts of those essential tasks overwhelm us, yet the responsibility leaves no choice. The work must be done. The care must be given. We grit our teeth, clench our fists, and determine to carry on no matter what.
But wait.
Before thoughts of heavy responsibility and unrelenting demands overwhelm you, turn your attention to God. He is strong. Completing the day’s tasks will deplete your resources, but they won’t put a dent in His. Our rugged God’s fingertip exerts more strength in a moment than a human champion could exert in 10 lifetimes. We run out of time to finish our tasks, but God sets time.
This strong, resourceful God is willing to help you. He has helped you before, and He will help you again.
We are tempted to look ahead and conclude that we will be unable to complete the routine demands of caring for our loved one. God can complete them—no problem. “Every new day he does not fail.”
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.—Matthew 10:14 (NIV)
At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.—Psalm 119:62 (KJV)
Worry takes a tremendous amount of energy and often robs us of sleep and joy. Pray for the strength to follow the Lord’s instruction and let go of your fears. Take His words to heart—“Fear not!”—and feel a spark of excitement grow into joy.