“And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them." Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere. // Luke 9:5-6
A storm was rolling in from the east, paper bags and empty soda cans flying past our feet. The orange flaps of my tent violently whipped back and forth as haunting whistles curled around us. I was camping in the desert of Arizona with my friends, and it was clearly time to go home. Unlike the midwestern storms I grew up with, this one came with thick clouds of hazy dust. You could see it in the distance, and it covered everything in sight.
After a mad dash to break down camp and throw everything in our cars, I made it home safely and utterly filthy. A brown film coated all of my belongings. There were cakes of dust in my ears, between my toes, and in every crevice of my face. It clung to me, and I couldn’t wait to wash it all off.
Today, Jesus encourages us to shake off a different kind of dust, with a sense of urgency and detachment. The kind of dust that looks like rejection, unkind words, and persecution. An eye roll from a classmate or child, a passive-aggressive comment from a parent, or an employer who bullies you. Similar to the dust clouds of a looming storm in the desert, these things can cloud our vision, slow us down, and muddy the Truth.
We so easily forget that the news we have to share is actually so good and beautiful, it cures diseases, heals the brokenhearted, and brings lasting peace and joy! I find it comforting to know that our Lord knew we wouldn’t always be accepted or received, but still invites us to share the joy of the Gospel unapologetically and confidently. He never forgets how good His promises are.
Sister, let’s stop letting dust cling to our feet and cake up where it doesn’t belong. Even through the most ominous storms, Jesus is on our team, and He guarantees that we need nothing more.
Jana Zuniga Pingel is an artist and designer based in Colorado Springs, where she resides with her husband. She earned her B.A. in Studio Art from Saint Mary’s College in South Bend, Indiana. She is the founder and owner of January Jane Shop, an online boutique for Catholic art and goods. When she isn’t busy doing entrepreneurial things, she’s cooking a new recipe, hiking a mountain, or party planning.
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