40 DAYS in the GOSPEL Sample

SHAKE IT OFF

"...when you leave, shake off the dust..." (Mark 6:11)

I (Shawn) remember a girl I’ll call Stephanie walking into our church as a teen. She was a bit defensive, and I found out later why. In a single-parent home for part of her life with two brothers, she learned how to emotionally survive. As a teen, she surrendered completely to Christ and began the slow process of finding healing in Jesus. She told us later how she knew that God was always reaching for her and how while watching evangelists on TV, she would raise her hand when the preacher asked who would believe in Jesus.

Later as a ministry intern, she discovered by accident that the man she thought was her father wasn’t her father after all. It wasn’t until her 20’s that she found out who her real dad was, on Facebook, by chance.

What is amazing in her story is that despite so many reasons not to believe, and being deceived by those she loved, she continued to follow Jesus and is now a pastor’s wife, leading her children and others to follow Jesus.

We don’t know who will believe the gospel. Sometimes we talk about Jesus and look at people and think: “They will never be a Christian.” But you just don’t know what is going on in their heart. Others we think would be receptive to the gospel want nothing to do with it.

Jesus makes it clear here that not everyone will think the gospel is good news. Shake it off. Move on. (See Mark 6:11). It happened to the first disciples. It will happen to you. Don’t be surprised.

My friend, don’t quit sharing the good news of Jesus. There is another “Stephanie” out there whom God has been reaching for their whole life. When someone says no, just quietly move on. Maybe they are just a green apple that has yet to ripen to their need for the gospel.

PRAY ABOUT IT: Pray for wisdom to know who is ready to hear the gospel. Ask God to show you when you need to quietly move on to someone else who is ready to receive.