Shaking Off the Dust

By Roxane B. Salonen

“Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave.
Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,
leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.”
~Mark 6:10-11

Whenever I come across this passage in Mark, I delight in Jesus’ guidance and how he wishes to give us the best advice possible for a healthy, productive, God-serving life. It is clear, Jesus does not want us to squander our time. We have been given a mission, sent forth to preach the Good News! If hearts are hardened and cannot receive this gift, we do not have to belabor the point. Whew! Thank you, Jesus!

For many years now, I have joined a group of sidewalk advocates at our state’s only abortion facility with the aim of giving women seeking an abortion a chance to reconsider the potentially grave decision before them. The fruits of this ministry go beyond the souls who show up for their appointments. Almost every week, we also talk to people simply passing by, and believe me, the conversations can be quite interesting. Sometimes, we experience what seems to us a breakthrough in the heart. Other times, we witness the world’s hardened hearts.

The other day, I watched as a post-abortive woman with a very tender heart tried to reach out to the abortion clinic’s escorts. She didn’t wish to engage on the topic of abortion, knowing the likely futility. Instead, she wanted to tell them about an exciting new media series, “The Chosen.” She was there not to reprimand them for their work but to bring Jesus to them. As she gently approached, they looked at her with what seemed like shock, and then, as she gently persisted a few minutes longer—revolt, “We’re not the least bit interested in that,” one said, quickly turning away.

We experience a lot of tough exchanges out there, but this one gripped me because I could see the pure intention of my advocate friend, and it was so obvious the escorts were not open, at least yet, to encountering Jesus. Eventually, she also turned away and, I dearly hope, shook that dust off clean!

In my growing-up years, I didn’t learn well how to set boundaries. It’s taken me five decades to practice this, and I’m still not an expert at it. This new understanding is why I love that Jesus lets us off the hook. We don’t have to cling to those who reject us. We are only asked to plant little seeds of love and be on our way. He will take care of the rest.

As Mother Teresa once said, “God has called us not to be successful, but to be faithful.”

Prayer

Thank you, Jesus, for helping us know where we end, and You begin.

Call to Action

This week, if you encounter a situation where a heart is hardened to your offer of love, pause, and imagine the dust falling away from your sandal, then hand the task over to God.