Paul “devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah,” yet he met nothing but abuse. His response was a physical manifestation of entrusting himself to the care of God, and then he shook out his clothes and moved next door. There is a holy grit in knowing when to stay, but there is a divine grace in knowing when to leave.
Conflict is inevitable when working with people, whether from our limited knowledge and experience or from others’. Just as a plane flying from one location to another is off course 90% of the time, adjustments and corrections have to be made to stay on course. I have learned that the same is true in working with people in church. Peter said that love covers a multitude of sins, but there are situations like Paul’s where you have to “shake the dust off of your feet” and move on.
Many of us carry the weight of “failed” projects or of people who are unreceptive as personal burdens. However, faithfulness does not require us to beat our heads against a locked door. By shaking the dust, Paul stayed present to the new opportunity at the house of Titius Justus.
Today, ask yourself: What outcome am I clutching that I need to release so I can be available for what is next? Sometimes, the most spiritual thing you can do is stop pouring energy into a closed door so you can be fully present for the open one next door.