Daily Devotional: Shake Them Off & Leave Them Behind

Hey wonderful friends! Glad to have you back! Today, we're exploring our daily devotional and sharing a brief, uplifting thought to add a little sparkle to your day. If you have a moment, take a look at Matthew 10:5-15, Mark 6:1-13, or Luke 10:1-24 in your preferred Bible translation before continuing here.

If you're short on time, just read this and note what stands out to you:

Jesus said, “A prophet is not without honour except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.”

“If any place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” 

Everyone has the potential to love, affirm, and value LGBTQ+ individuals, but not everyone will.

You can't control others or force them to love or accept you. You can’t make them use your correct name and pronouns, or attend your wedding or commitment ceremony.

Your role is to invite them to hear the good news of your life.

Some people will eagerly welcome you and celebrate with you. Others might be cautious but open to discussion. And some may not be receptive at all.

As Jesus points out, there will be those who “will not welcome you or listen to you.” They might open their door but not truly welcome you. They might ask questions but fail to truly listen.

Many LGBTQ+ Christians and supportive straight, cisgender allies feel compelled to “stay and fight,” to change minds within their church or family. However, that’s not the guidance Jesus provides.

If they refuse to listen, it’s not your duty to stay and convince them; rather, it’s your responsibility to move on and “shake the dust off your sandals.”

There are others out there who WILL embrace you, who DO want to listen, and who NEED the message you have to share. Every moment spent struggling with those who won’t change is time lost from engaging with those who will.

This isn’t about admitting defeat or judging those you leave behind; it’s about recognising that our time is limited and how we use it matters.

So use your time wisely.

Reflection Questions:

When have you shared a significant truth that was well-received? What was that experience like for you?

Is there someone who initially didn’t understand or agree with LGBTQ+ issues but eventually grew through your conversations? Conversely, who remained unchanged? How did each situation affect you?

What are the differences between these two outcomes? How can you discern between them?

How would it feel to spend most of your time with people who are eager to listen, learn, and grow?

Practical Exercises:

List people and organisations that don’t affirm you and show no willingness to grow. Develop a plan for moving on from them.

List those who love and support you, as well as those who don’t yet understand but are open to learning. Plan to spend more time with these individuals.

If you seek a community of people committed to learning and growth, consider joining MCC.

That concludes today’s devotional! I hope this message has brightened your day. If you found it meaningful, please consider sharing it to spread the positivity. Thank you for joining us today—remember to celebrate your uniqueness! Stay well and keep a positive mindset until we meet again.

Footnotes:

Source: Kearns, S., & Murphy, B. (2020). "Queers the Word" - (Adapted for reflection of Jesus Sends Out the Twelve, A Prophet Without Honour, and Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two.
Scripture: Matthew 10:5-15, Mark 6:1-13, and Luke 10:1-24.

Image Title: "Pathways of Promise" Source: Midjourney’s image generation model.

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