Home Pastors Articles for Pastors When (and Why) to Shake Off the Dust and Move On

When (and Why) to Shake Off the Dust and Move On

From the New Testament’s perspective, the readiest explanation is that the soil just isn’t ready, so the best solution in most situations is to simply shake off the dust and move on until you find good soil.

Interestingly, the (Jewish) synagogue leader Crispus becomes a believer after Paul gives up on preaching to Jews in Corinth and goes to the Gentiles. Moving on to better soil can often bring the original fruit you were looking for.

It’s a good reminder that this is God’s work, we’re just workers in his harvest fields, participating in his kingdom work in the world.

That said, however, there is a tension to be navigated: sometimes it’s time to shake off the dust and move on, and other times we need to stay faithful in the battle and push for a breakthrough.

The trick is discerning which season is which, because we can easily normalize fruitlessness in the name of “faithfulness,” just like we can excuse ourselves from the battle in the name of “looking for better soil.”

This demands a bi-focal lens when it comes to faithfulness and fruitfulness: embracing the BOTH/AND of fruitful opportunism and faithful tenacity, the pragmatism of testing the soil and working where the harvest is ripe, and the prophetic passion and sight to see potential in unlikely places and fight for the breakthrough.