In the Scriptures Jesus calls us to put our hand to the plow and not look back.  Most of us have no idea how to plow a field but Jesus uses this illustration because life is really difficult.  This might be difficult for some of us to understand because when we want food we just run to a restaurant or a grocery store and pick it up all neatly packaged.  It isn’t difficult at all.  However, plowing a field is really difficult and Jesus uses this illustration because life is really difficult.  The kingdom of God is difficult, marriage is difficult, raising children is difficult, working a job every day is difficult and that is why Jesus calls us to put our hand to the plow and not look back.

The reality of it is that our life is like a field and God has apportioned a field for us to plow, and it is difficult because we live in a world that has been tainted by sin.  Our world naturally produces weeds and thorns.   We live in a world where sometimes it will feel like nothing is working and it is because everything is broken.  Sin has taken everything God created to be good and it is completely broken.  That is why God entered into human history.  That is why Jesus died on a cross.  That is why He is calling out, “Follow me.”

It is important to remember when Jesus is having this spiritual conversation He also has His hand to the plow.  His plow is facing the cross and He is plowing a row that will lead to great difficulty.  He has His hand to the plow, His face toward the cross and He is pressing forward.  He is not looking back.  He isn’t looking back remembering the good old days.  He isn’t look back remembering when He had less responsibility.  He isn’t looking across the street at His neighbor’s field, but instead He has His hand to the plow, feet moving forward, and eyes on the cross.

Therefore, we shouldn’t be surprised by the difficulty of life, but instead allow that difficulty to keep our eyes on Jesus and all that we have been given through the cross.