And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.
Feeling rejected or unwanted is difficult and painful, but it happens to all of us at times. As part of the human race, we have to realize that not everyone will always like us or accept us. When others reject us, we have a choice to make: We can let it hurt our feelings, make us feel bad about ourselves, and wallow in it, or we can shake it off and not allow it to bother us.
Today’s scripture is an instruction Jesus gave His disciples when He sent them to preach and minister in various towns. Knowing they wouldn’t be welcome everywhere, He prepared them in advance to deal with the rejection they’d face. In today’s language, He’d say to “shake it off!” He didn’t want them to let rejection upset them but to forget about it and keep moving forward.
Jesus’ advice to His disciples years ago is exactly what we need to follow today. When people reject us, ignore us, exclude us, aren’t pleased with us, don’t like us, or don’t accept us, we can shake it off and keep moving forward. We can do this because we are secure in God’s total and unconditional love and acceptance.
When an insect lands on your arm, you simply shake it off. You don’t keep thinking about it for hours, weeks, or years. But rejection can be so painful that we feel it for a very long time. Don’t let that happen to you. Next time someone rejects you, shake it off!
Prayer of the Day: When I feel rejected, Lord, help me shake it off, remembering that You love me and accept me unconditionally.
