Chances are you know this story well. In Matthew 10:1-15, Jesus sends out his twelve disciples to proclaim the good news to the Jews, heal them, cast out any demons, and raise their dead. With His blessing, the disciples travel into foreign towns, not only with words of hope, but with authority and power to do miracles. Still, Jesus knew that some people who they would encounter would not believe. Rather than become discouraged, however, He tells his disciples to shake off the rejection and go minister to the next person in need.

I’ve read this story countless times, yet I continually struggle to put Jesus’ instructions into action. Not the going out into foreign places part, but the shaking off the dust.

As I write this, I can picture the faces of youth who I love and who I have poured so much into, but who continue to deny God’s presence in their lives. Then I look at all the years of dust still remaining on my feet. Dust built up from countless Bible studies, prayers, arguments, and heartaches. And the last thing I want do to is shake the dust off. Nothing in me wants to accept failure.

And then I think back to the disciples. Surely Jesus wasn’t telling his disciples they should give up on those with closed hearts. Rather, I think it was His way of saying that time is precious and the harvest is plenty. We have to go to those who are ready to receive His words, and pray for the hearts of those who aren’t.

When speaking about moving on, Francis Chan, in his most recent book Until Unity says, “Sometimes it is necessary to run ahead in order to show people a glimpse of what is possible” (p.189). I think this is a truly beautiful way to look at it. As Jesus sends us all out to spread His good news, shaking the dust off our feet isn’t accepting failure, but it is running ahead to show others what a life with Christ can look like.