“And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).
I remember as a young boy learning the proper techniques in lawn care. The first few times on a lawn mower was with my father. He pointed out various safety procedures one must follow at all times when mowing. After several weeks of instruction, I was given the keys to the tractor. I’ll never forget that first trip around the parameters of our lawn. I kept looking back to where I had mowed, only to look ahead and find myself off course. I must admit, the first few rows I cut were nowhere close to being straight. I had broken the first rule of proper lawn care: Never look back! Always look ahead!
So it is with the child of God as they cut their course through life. Looking back to that which we’ve left (namely, the world) can result in destruction. Remember Lot’s wife (cf. Gen. 19:1ff)? It’s imperative that we rid ourselves of that which would beset us and remain focused on the One who has gone before us (Heb. 12:1-2; Col. 3:2). Paul summed it up this way: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phi. 3:13-14).
If we’re to be found fit for the kingdom, we must proceed ahead, never looking back!
Terry R. Townsend
Curry church of Christ
Jasper, AL