They’re Just Dust, and So Are You

They’re Just Dust, and So Are You is a quote I recently read in Craig Groeschel’s new book, and I’m pondering it with you today.

For Lent 2025, I’ll be writing new blog posts every day. I’m writing for just five unedited minutes on a quote of the day to deepen our faith in this Lenten season.

Day 2 of Lent 2025- March 6

I’m reading Craig Groeschel’s new book, The Benefit of Doubt, which I highly recommend. Today’s quote is pulled from a chapter where Craig explains how it’s hard to have faith when others, especially Christians, have let you down in big ways. I’ve certainly been there myself, so this message caught my attention.

Craig talks about a time when Paul and Barnabas were reaching the Gentiles with the Gospel message, yet the Jewish leaders persecuted them and drove them out of Jerusalem. This is what Paul and Barnabas did next:

So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 13:51-52 NIV

Craig continues, “Did you notice the word “dust”? They shook it off. They chose joy…

I realize that if you’ve been mistreated, betrayed, or abused, it’s going to take a lot of praying, then some shaking, and maybe some counseling, then some shaking, and maybe some more praying and some introspection and some more shaking. It’s not easy, but at some point, for your sake, you’ve got to shake it off. Find the ability to forgive and heal and let it go and, like Paul and Barnabas, move on filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit.

Can I encourage you to look to Jesus and shake off whatever people have done to you? After all, they’re just dust.”

Craig says they’re just dust, but he also says several times in the chapter – “And so are you.”

Forgiving Others Who Are Just Dust

There is a whole group of people I need to forgive for the major sins they’ve committed against me. I know in my head I need to do this because it’s a command from God. However, my heart has wanted to point to the unfairness that continues, so I sometimes get stuck.

That’s why this quote – “They’re just dust, and so are you” is so helpful in my pursuit of forgiveness. The people who have hurt me seem less like monsters and villains when I remember they are just dust, as all of us have been since Adam was created.

The second part of the quote helps me the most. My natural tendency as an INFJ is to judge others. I am tempted to claim the high road as a pedestal from which I can look down on others. However, remembering that I am also just dust keeps me in touch with my humanity. If it weren’t for God’s work in my life, I probably would act just like they do.

I want to shake the dust off and choose joy while I forgive others for their harm against me. The visual image of shaking off dust is a powerful one I can apply when I’m tempted toward bitterness. Then I can smile at God and thank him for making me more like his Son every day as I walk in submission and obedience, even though I’m just dust like everyone else.

Join me again tomorrow for another reflection on a different quote.

Find all my additional resources for Lent on this page.

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