Shake the Dust Off

Dear Friend,

Can I share something important? Healthy things grow. So, you don't have to spend time explaining your growth. You don't. Often we get into habits of trying to explain ourselves in uncomfortable spaces. Growth can be uncomfortable, to us and to others. But to stop and explain why you are growing, or changing is a distraction.

Everything that God designed was created to grow. Seeds, turn into trees and puppies grow up to be dogs, doing dog like things..... You were created and made to grow into the image of Christ, you are supposed to grow, change and evolve. 1 Corinthians 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. So that means you won't remain the same.

But guess what , you don’t owe anyone an explanation about your decision to obey God, to become more like Jesus. Jesus said it best, In Mark 6:11 “ 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.” There will be critics everywhere, In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted 2 Timothy 3:12. Can you imagine if Jesus tried to defend every decision he made, nothing He did for the glory of God ever made sense, especially NOT going to the cross for our sake. But He went forth in His Father's name, doing business for His sake (see Luke 2:49).

And Can I tell you something more exciting, there is a reward for growing, for the persecution you have been receiving, for being different. 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10, I don't know about you, but that's some encouragement, for me. It makes me more want to be different, to be set apart.

So choose your battles in this season, and explaining your growth that's not one of them. Remind yourself, healthy things grow, and change and you are becoming more like Christ. And it's ok if "they" don't understand. As a matter of fact do a little shimmy reminding you to shake the dust off and keep moving FORWARD!

Shimmying,

LMJ