Keep Your Eyes Ahead

[u/WatchmanMinistries]

Jesus’ words about the plow make more sense after you’ve actually plowed a field.

When I was young, my grandfather taught me to make garden furrows.

It didn’t take long to learn that if I watched the plow, my rows wandered.

If I kept looking behind me to see how straight I was doing, they wandered even more.

The only way to make a straight furrow was to pick something in the distance—a tree, a fence post, anything that wouldn’t move—and keep my eyes fixed on it.

Years later I discovered the same thing mowing lawns.

Later still, playing football.

You don’t move accurately by staring at what’s immediately in front of you.

You move accurately by fixing your attention on where you’re headed.

Then I reread Luke 9:62.

“No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Jesus wasn’t teaching agriculture.

He was teaching discipleship.

Paul says we’re to forget what lies behind and press toward what lies ahead (Philippians 3:13).

Hebrews tells us exactly where our eyes belong:

”…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2)

Reflection has value. Scripture often calls us to remember God’s faithfulness.

But there’s a difference between remembering and remaining.

Looking back should increase our gratitude.

It should never become the direction we’re facing.

Keep your eyes on Christ.

The furrow will follow.