[As he was about to send his disciples out on a mission, Jesus said], “If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, shake the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them” (Mark 6:11).

In most instances, we are called to minister patiently to people even if they regularly reject our love. In fact, this is the history of God’s dealing with us. But here Jesus tells his followers that a complete rejection of his word should sometimes signal that it is time for us to move on.

What would signal that it is time to move on? What would signal that it is time to continue to reach out? Where might you find spiritual discernment about such matters? Is there a situation you are facing now that requires such discernment?

–Mark Galli
This is part of Mark Galli’s guided journal, “Discovering the Untamable God,” a 12-week journey through the Gospel of Mark. Twice a week, you’ll receive a new journaling prompt encouraging you encounter the wild, untamable Jesus of the Gospel of Mark and let his radical sayings and actions transform your life. Use these prompts in your own journal or in group discussion. If you’re joining this journal mid-way through, you can start journaling at any time, and stay subscribed at the end, when the journal will restart and you can receive the prompts that you missed.