A couple of weeks ago we had some family visiting from out of town and
so we took a trip to our favorite BBQ place. How can I describe this place?
Well I guess I would have to say that it’s on the edge of the middle of nowhere.
You turn off a two lane road out in the country. This place is so rural that
they didn’t even bother to paint lines on the road. Just before the pavement
turns to dirt you turn off into a gravel driveway between a couple of small
farms. You can eat inside or sit under the covered porch next to the stream
behind the restaurant.
Here is where my story begins - a beautiful setting, a family reunion
and a pair of brand new white shoes. My niece was so proud of her newest
purchase and wanted to show them off. But the moms were in full force with
their cameras determined to get everyone huddled together for a barrage of ‘candid’
photos. As people jockeyed for position you can guess what happened. Someone
stepped on the shoes. The perfectly white shoes. Someone who had recently been
wading in the creek. Oh snap!
In the New Testament we have an account of Jesus sending out disciples
on a ministry trip. He gives them some specific instructions on what to do,
what to bring and how to act. He also said this –
“If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off
your feet as a testimony against them.” – Luke 9:5 NIV
The original word that was translated into English as ‘against’ could
also be translated ‘before’. Let me explain. This world has a way of messing up
your new shoes but we have to choose how we will respond. You could see the
look on my niece’s face. She was not happy but fortunately she is a gracious
young lady. They were after all just a pair of shoes and the perpetrator was
her cousin that she loved and rarely gets to see. She chose what was most
important.
I think the lesson here is to not let other people’s mistakes, offense and
sin transfer to you. Dust it off. Right away. If we aren’t careful dirt on our
shoes can quickly become a smudge on our heart.
“Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in His Holy
place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart…” – Psalm 24:3-4b NIV
… and white shoes.
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