ACE #174: Shake It Off

As I reflect on the huge losses experienced by the many men's and women's basketball teams during March Madness, all I can think about is that they need to just "shake it off".  Of course, that's more easily said than done.  Then it reminded me of some key lyrics in Mariah Carey's song, "Shake It Off" that say:

By the time you get this message
It's gonna be too late
So don't bother paging me
'Cause I'll be on my way...

All of this to get to my point - everybody is not going to appreciate you, everybody is not going to agree with what you say, and everybody is not going to accept your message concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jesus gave the 12 disciples key instructions for such times when He said, "And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from you feet."  In other words, keep it moving.  Someone not receiving your message might hurt your feelings a little, but it doesn't hurt your testimony or your witness for Christ.

Sending Out the Twelve
Matthew 10

⁵ These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. ⁶ But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. ⁷ And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ ⁸ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead,^[c] cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. ⁹ Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, ¹⁰ nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.
¹¹ “Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. ¹² And when you go into a household, greet it. ¹³ If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. ¹⁴ And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. ¹⁵ Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!

 

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