Shaking the Dust - Walking Away

The instruction from Jesus to “shake the dust off your feet” appears four times in the New Testament. For example, in Mark 6:11 Jesus says, 

“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.” (NIV translation)

In the Message translation, we read:

"If you're not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way."

It's an indication that you've done all that can be done in a situation - and you have no further responsibility for it. You are free to walk away with a clear conscience, knowing that you have done all you could.

The 'shaking the dust' portion of that phrase is meant to be a warning. This was in effect saying that those who rejected God’s truth would not be allowed to stop the progress of the gospel. In an act of symbolism, you remove even the dust of those cities from your sandals and move onto somewhere new.  

I get it. There are times when God calls us to stand firm, to work hard and do the best you can. We are eager to see good results of our labours. And yet, there are times in our lives when it's clearly time to move on. This is when we realise that 'enough is enough'.  Times when God gives us the freedom to move on. It's somebody else's time to shine in this place. It's our time to emotionally let go, to move to somewhere else or to something else. 

Serenity - more, please!

Serenity (noun): the quality or state of being calm, peaceful, and free from anxiety, stress, or agitation.

I keep coming back to dwell on this word in this blog. I wonder why... it's much more than the science fiction reference. It's a real longing for a lasting, inner peace in my life.

What I'm looking for is more that just earthly peace. Serenity is a deep feeling of calm even in the face of adversity. It's when you can still see the problems around you, however you are no longer suffering under the weight they once carried. I believe it's only available through our relationship with God. 

I'm reliably informed that pursuing serenity involves shifting your daily habits and perspective to calm your mind and reduce stress in your life. Removing the pressures of working life has gone a long way to improving my perspective. My mind is so now quieter since I retired and this has helped me to slow down and build in some regular quiet time to be with God. 

i am spending a good deal of my time reducing distractions; reducing the clutter in some areas of my house (why do I need to keep those work reference books now?) and making a positive choice to live a simpler life. 

I can feel a real sense of peace on some days. More, please!

God still has work for me to do

It's now been three months since I retired from full-time employment. Three whole months. And the world has, remarkably, kept on spinning.

Yes, I am still enjoying my retirement. No, I'm not having a lay-in every morning. In fact, I'm still getting up at the same time - that's the natural time for me to wake up. I do now have time for a midday nap from time to time...

No, I don't miss the work, or the commuting, or the politics that always makes work life so *interesting*. No, I'm not spending every other moment at the Army hall. Yes, I have enough money to live on - I'm not rich by any extent, however I have enough to get by.  Yes, I am rediscovering hobbies from the past and finally getting to read all those books from the large wobbly pile in my study!

And, yes, I am still excited for the future. Because God has so much for me still to do. He still has a purpose for my life, and God is still not finished shaping me or using me. 

Philippians 1: 3-6 (NIV)
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Blackbird (part two)

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free.

Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.
(song by The Beatles - Writers John Lennon/Paul McCartney)

Today is the first day of the rest of my life. It's the day that I fly.