Last year we moved to Houston, Texas after living in NY my whole life! There are a few differences between the 2 states that really caught my eye. One is how friendly people are here. It’s honestly not uncommon to pass someone in the northeast without speaking. We pass so many people. We’d be greeting people all day long! In the south though, most people greet those they pass: at least with a nod. That’s not unusual at all. I, personally, love the friendliness! So I must admit I was more than surprised when I read something Jesus told his followers not to do. Luke 10 tells us that he told them “Not to greet anyone on the road!” That’s unfriendly! I began thinking about it and soon concluded what I thought was the reason. I believe Jesus wanted them focused on their task. He was sending them out with a great purpose. They were to bring the message of his coming kingdom. Greeting people on the way could easily have led to distraction from the mission. This tells me that God is serious about my given task! Spreading his gospel is not something to do when I feel like it or in my spare time. It’s to be my pivotal purpose in life. Everything I do must be second to this!
