Guest Post: Letting Go and Leaving Behind

A Note from Cheryl: Last summer, I went directly from teaching middle schoolers fulltime to being in a 7 week long, 7 class summer intensive program to propel me to the next stage of earning my professional teaching certification in Florida. This summer, I’m re-discovering what it means to HAVE a summer. Thank you for your support and interest in my blog.

Today I’m providing you with a summer treat – a refreshing guest post by a dear friend of mine named Darlene Curtiss. What she wrote during her personal Bible study time will probably encourage you to consider if there’s any “dust shaking” that needs to occur in your life.  I believe that you, too, will know your time has been well spent by reading what Darlene has to say. 

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And now, please welcome a morning musing from my friend.

If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave. Matthew 10:14

But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate. Mark 6:11

Source: littlemicy.wordpress.com

I have always thought of these verses as an act of anger or disgust.

In fact, they teach that it is OK to “shake the dust” from yourself and walk away when relationships or situations are ungodly and/or toxic. “Shaking” is the intentional act of letting go of these relationships or situations where we are unable to promote God’s will. They include times where we feel bound or pulled down. The dust is symbolic of leaving those relationships or situations behind because they bog us down and pull us away from God.

When we are not welcomed as followers of Jesus Christ, the situation or relationship may be such that we need to intentionally shake it off , leave it behind or set it aside – for now. The circumstances may be ones  in which you can do no good for anyone, including yourself. You may be trying so hard to please someone else and make your own heart feel better, you forget what really matters most – God’s will.

This is not a letting go of loving and praying for those involved; it is an intentional stepping aside to let God do HIS work if those involved will open their hearts to consider Him. In the meantime, we can refocus ourselves on the tasks God lays before us. When these people are very close to us – emotionally and perhaps even physically, it can be very difficult to realize we cannot, at this time, make a difference no matter what we say or do.

It’s a lesson from God in time management.

If the person is not following Christ and refuses to hear God’s truth, set the situation aside while you see and work on God’s next for you. He may return you to the relationship or situation and if so, the time will be right.

Discernment is crucial. It involves listening to God and knowing what steps He wants you to take. In your heart, you will know when change has occurred.

God wants us to be joyful in the work we do for Him. Sometimes it means “shaking the dust” off ourselves and choosing to go forward. If God gives you the go-ahead to go back, you’ll be rested and even more resolved to do His will.

About the Author: Darlene Curtiss is a follower of Jesus Christ, an administrative assistant professional, wife, mom, grandmother and great-grandmother who lives in Jacksonville, Florida. She shares home with her husband of 40+ years and 2 much loved (and spoiled) cats.