by Kevin Burton
I have spent most of my life in the American Midwest, the breadbasket of the world, but I never did learn to use a plow.
Nevertheless we are going to talk plows today as we learn about focus and hard work in service to God, in a message from Dr. Charles Stanley, founder of the In Touch Ministries.
The text is from Luke 9:61-62 (NKJV) “And another also said, ‘Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house. But Jesus said to him, ‘No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’”
“Most of us probably don’t fully appreciate Jesus’ choice of a plow to illustrate a life dedicated to God,” Stanley wrote. “The ancient plow, shaped much like the ones widely used until the early 20th century, was a single wooden blade attached to two handles. A mule pulled the apparatus forward, but the farmer also had to do a great deal of work to push and guide the path of the plowshare.”
“Using such a device—one without an engine—is no easy task. The simple machine bumps and jerks as it tears up the ground. The only way to make a straight line is to stay focused on the work and keep your eyes forward every single second.”
“When believers trust Jesus Christ as Savior, they ‘put their hand to the plow.’ The idea is for us to follow the Lord in absolute obedience—always keeping our eyes focused on Him. That’s how we stay on the right path and eventually reap an abundant harvest of faith.”
Once while I was working as a reporter for the Yellow Springs News, one of the school district employees described me as “on task.” I took that as a high compliment. I like to think I had a hand-to-the-plow mentality, even while working a white-collar job.
If God were describing you in terms of your service to Him, would he describe you as on-task? Or, are you like me, needing this reminder from the Apostle Peter?
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13 NASB).
“Is there anything in your life drawing your attention away from the heavenly Father?” Stanley wrote.
“Believers who focus on past failures and present distractions end up all over the place in their Christian life and often miss out on the peace and joy that can be ours in the Savior. Follow the Lord earnestly, and He will help you do what is needed to bring forth much spiritual fruit.”
What Stanley calls following the Lord earnestly, Jesus calls “abiding” in this passage in the book of John.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” John 5:4-8, NKJV).
Modern plows and all the newer farm machines have made farming much more efficient, though it is still hard work. Similarly 21st-century Christians have some advantages as we use various means to spread the gospel.
May God grant us all an abundant harvest as we continue with our hands to the plow.
Page 7 