This Is the Way: A 30-Day Journey Through the Book of ActsSample

Shake Off the Dust

By Hope Adams

But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. —Acts 13:51-52 (ESV)

At the beginning of Acts 13, we find Paul and Barnabas, along with other prophets and teachers, together in the church of Antioch. It’s there that the Holy Spirit calls them to go on their first missionary journey. Acts 13:2–3 (ESV) says, “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”

I’m sure they had great expectations for what the Holy Spirit would do in and through them. And in fact, great things did happen! Acts 13:49 (ESV) tells us, “And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.” But then, in the very next verse, we read that Paul and Barnabas faced great persecution and were eventually driven out of town by an angry mob.

So how did they respond? They shook off the dust from their feet and were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit (see Acts 13:51–52).The Message version of the Bible says, “Paul and Barnabas shrugged their shoulders and went on to the next town, Iconium, brimming with joy and the Holy Spirit, two happy disciples” (vv. 51–52).

I’m sorry, what? Let’s recap this for a moment. They were just persecuted, rejected, and kicked out of town but they moved on brimming with joy?! Surely persecution wasn’t the outcome they were hoping for or expected. How were they able to shake off the dust so easily and leave as two happy disciples? Were they superhumans?

If they were superheroes and not ordinary men, I wouldn’t feel so challenged by their response. When I face opposition or feel rejected, or when the outcome is out of my control, the last thing I want to do is shake off the dust and move on. Suffice to say I’m certainly not a “happy disciple” brimming with joy. Honestly, what my flesh wants to do is not move on at all. I want to sit in my disappointment and hurt. I want to defend myself and replay statements and scenarios in my head. I want to be angry and throw in the towel and say, “I quit!”

So back to my question: How were Paul and Barnabas able to respond the way they did and be filled with joy? Because they were also filled with the Holy Spirit.

It’s much easier to “shake off the dust” and move on with joy when we’re being led by the Holy Spirit. In other words, living a life of obedience helps us contently move forward. Acts 13:4 (ESV) says, “So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went . . . .” What if we lived our lives in such a way that we only go when He says go? We only speak when He says speak? Jesus lived His life this way, and I believe it’s how Paul and Barnabas tried to live theirs too. Surrendered to the Holy Spirit and living lives of obedience, they were able to leave a place with peace and joy in their hearts knowing they did all they were asked to do. Nothing more, nothing less. They knew they weren’t “sent out” by their own strength, so they didn’t need to strive or stress about the outcome.

How many times do we carry the unnecessary weights of worry and care that the Lord never asked us to carry? When we invite the Holy Spirit into our lives and lean on Him, we also invite in His power, wisdom, peace, and joy to strengthen and lead us! His power helps ordinary people like us do extraordinary things for God’s kingdom.

When we’re led by the Holy Spirit and rely on His strength, it becomes easier to surrender the outcome to Him, recognizing that we were never in control to begin with. Because Paul and Barnabas were obedient to what the Holy Spirit asked them to do and they relinquished their control of the outcome to Him, they were able to shake off the dust and leave that situation with joy in their hearts. You and I can choose to do the same in our own lives, and the Holy Spirit is ever-ready to help us!

Prayer

Holy Spirit, help me to live a life surrendered in obedience to You. Help me trust and obey You in every area of my life. Fill me with Your power, so I’ll have Your strength, Your guidance, and Your wisdom. Then I can entrust every outcome to You and have true joy! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Activation

• Do you find yourself replaying hurt or rejection from past seasons or circumstances? Are you carrying things the Lord never asked you to carry? List them out and release each one to God in prayer.
• Are you in a current season or circumstance where you’re trying to control the outcome? Surrender it to the Holy Spirit in prayer and receive His guidance and wisdom. Write down what the Holy Spirit is saying to you.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to show you any areas of your life you need to surrender or re-surrender to Him. Write down what the Holy Spirit reveals to you and fully surrender those areas to Him.

For Further Study

Acts 13; John 14:26; Acts 1:8

Holy Spirit, what are you saying to me?