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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion Monday, February 2, 2004 Shake the Dust from Your Feet |
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FRONTLINE DEVOTION for Monday,
February 2, 2004, by Fritz Foltz
Bible text:
Acts 13:42- 14:7
Paul’s ministry apparently followed a frustrating pattern, He felt obligated to
begin proclaiming the Gospel at the synagogue in each city he visited. After an
initial burst of acceptance, he was thrown out. Followed by some few he started
a small church. This congregation grew, but most who joined were Gentiles. Finally, when enough people got tired of his new ways, they ran him out of town.
Acts says as he did, he shook the dust from his feet. Remember that was what
Jesus advised his disciples to do when his message was rejected.
I never liked that phrase. I’m the kind of guy who likes to win. I want to win
so badly that I keep plugging until I get what I want. In my ministry that
sometimes had to do with converting somebody, bringing in a new member, or
convincing someone I was right. “Shaking the dust from my feet” was admitting I
had failed, and I did not want to fail.
Serving in a team ministry for 35 years taught me there can be another meaning. Many times I was frustrated with my failure to meet one of my parishioner’s
needs. After trying and trying, I got nowhere. Usually my partner would then
step in, tell me to relax, and volunteer to take over. More often than not, he
would be successful.
That taught me “shaking the dust from your feet” can also be admitting all does
not depend on you. Others are out there to do what you cannot. “Shaking the dust
from your feet” can be leaving it in the hands of the Holy Spirit.
Paul must have understood this as he spoke of the Church as the Body of Christ
in which each member of the body was to do her part. He called on us to relax
and share the work. That means we should spend far more time than we do in
working as a team. Each member simply does her part as best she can and leaves
the rest to the others whom the Holy Spirit calls.
Paul was not the only Christian missionary out there. Many followed him, and
other actually went before him. Some of them were simple merchants who lived the
life and spoke of their motivation. We call Paul a success in spite of his many
failures. We name him saint. But let’s remember he did not do it all alone.
Let us pray: Loving Father, give us the courage to relax and let the Holy Spirit
work in our world. Make successes from our failures that all might come to
follow Jesus and our world become a loving place. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
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