Shake The Dust Off

“Eeewwww,” exclaimed one of the medical secretaries.

“What’s wrong?”

“Look Rcubes! Look how thick the dust is!”

Our supervisor had moved a huge copier machine that belonged to Psychiatry and had placed it in a spot where it used to house the diabetic charts inside the Clinic or Infirmary. In the prison, Psychiatry had their own agenda, separate from the medical staff. It just didn’t belong there. Everyone was surprised because it took up a huge space for something that was not often used by everyone.

The secretary shook her hands after touching the keypad that had the controls for this machine.

“Eewww…I don’t know why I even touched it!”

“That’s okay. We’re not used to having it here that’s why we’re all not happy about it. I hope that it would be moved to another spot if they can find any other place where it won’t take up this much space we need here inside the Infirmary.”

That was only an equipment. But the people working in the medical field is another thing. Our work is easy, so to speak. When problems arise, it’s not usually about work but more of the people and their attitudes or work habits. I discern many spirits here. Of pride….. Laziness…. Anger….. Rebellion….Lust…and many other. It’s hard to be working in an environment where bitterness and envy among people dwell and here you are trying to do the best for God’s glory as His child.

When God brought me here and had taken me out of comfort zone many years ago, this was the place that had brought me to a more intimate relationship with Him as I needed more of His guidance, wisdom, discernment, protection and other things. Here I learned how real it is that I can’t make it in anything apart from God. Here in this place, is where I know this is truly His battle, not mine. Here in this place, is where I learned that His power is truly amazing and that by the utterance of His Name "Jesus", how spiritual enemies cower.

As I go through a big battle against those in power, fueled by pride and self-interests, the dust reminded me of how I must respond to this trial. Reading His Word and knowing that He commands for believers to love Him first, then, love others, I, too must learn to forgive no matter how big of a wound these people are creating in my heart.

“If a village doesn’t welcome you or listen to you, shake off the dust of that place from your feet as you leave.” – Matthew 10:14

The prison is a place where unbelief resides and perhaps, having no faith and belief in God. This is where God’s gift of discernment is truly much needed by those who reflect His light. There is a perfect time to share and a perfect time when not to give things that are holy.  

Every time I welcome sunrise after  hard nights of work, that’s what I intend to do: “to shake off the dust of resentment or animosity towards these people who want me to fail.” I need to leave those if I want to be obedient to God Who deserves all my heart, all my soul, and all of my mind. I will not worry about the injustices done to me knowing that I can fully rely on Christ Who promised to bring justice in His perfect time.  I don’t need these dust to cling to me and hinder me from doing what He willed for me. So, why should I be afraid of them? Nothing can separate me from His love. But it is my duty to continue sharing His love, grace and mercy to those who need to know Him, the way He found me, too when I was lost. I will not be afraid of what these people intend to do with this work that the Lord has given me in the first place. I know I’m in Good Hands. “I know…” Because He wrote my name on the palm of His hands (Isaiah 49:16)