I believe one of the greatest causes of despair in a person’s life is to live everyday with hope deferred. Knowing that we should have arrived by now, but not being able to lay hold on the thing our heart desires and knows is ours can be the single greatest killer of ones forward momentum. Proverbs 13:12 “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” After Jesus death and resurrection, the Apostles begin teaching about a hope that is made available to all and forever cemented to us now through the finished work of Jesus. But with all that Jesus has done; what can cause one to labor hard, but not attain an expected end? I believe I have some answers for us. This is what the Holy Spirit showed me while I was in prayer the other day.
Luke 9:59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
These are very powerful scriptures and carry the answer to what has eluded many over the years. I want to first point out something; there are 2 types of individuals the Lord is speaking of here. One is the man that Jesus noticed and ask him to follow Him, and the other is the man that was so inspired at the moment that he leaped at the chance to go, but after the moment was gone he had other things to do before he could feel ready to go. Both candidates had legitimate reasons why they could not go now, but none sufficed the weight of the assignment they had been given. For so long many have put off their God assignments and futures to manage things that have either ended or that are insignificant when compared to the weight of the assignment ahead. Let’s find out why it is important to put your Hand on the Plow and never take it off.
Early farmers knew for a plowman to be successful in His work, he must concentrate on the job he started. He knows that the only way is forward and not being distracted by the things left behind. If the plowman starts to look back, his plow line will become crooked. If that happens, the field he is plowing will not yield a full harvest and in farming labor without harvest is not only disheartening, but financially unacceptable. When rows become crooked they are hard to manage and unfruitful and In the culture of farming one would be considered “unfit” to plow if they had a habit of looking over their shoulder or daydreaming. So when plowing, there is only 1 way to make it go straight; look straight ahead; the furrows follow your head……..(thoughts).
One thing we can clearly see is that; Plowing is intentional and done with purpose for the future harvest and many today not knowing this, sabotage their own future and blame the devil.
When God commanded Elijah to anoint Elisha as a prophet who will be his successor; Elijah found Elisha “plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before Him” (I Kings 19:19). Elisha immediately let go of his physical plow to hold the spiritual plow that God called him to do. But then something happens; Elisha wants to go kiss his parents goodbye and then follow him; triggering this response from Elijah, “Go back again, what have I done to you”! Wow!! Could this be the very thing Jesus was speaking of in Luke? It’s not that saying goodbye is bad or wrong; it’s just how long are you going to allow things to stand in the way of your God assignments and the God purposes of your heart?! How long have we waited and begged God for an opportunity to fully embrace our purpose and live fulfilled? At some time in our lives we must be brave and launch out into the vast realms of His Greatness and Provision.
When Elisha heard what Elijah said his response was incredible. He took the yoke of oxen slaughtered them, boiled their flesh, used the oxen’s equipment as kindling, gave the meat to the people to eat and then rose and followed Elijah and became his servant” (verse 21). Elijah had shaken Elisha to an awakening! It was now or never, seize the moment and become who God said you are to be. Break out of the confines of who people say you are and be who God has destined you to be. Stop leaping at the moment of inspiration only to doubt when the moment is gone. Put your Hand on the Plow of your God Purpose and don’t allow anything to cause your grip to lighten.
Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda has killed more destinies than the plague. Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith ( Heb 12:2) and never allow your past to guide your future.
HANDS ON THE PLOW!
2 thoughts on “Hand On The Plow”
Hello Charles,
I read your article published on Elisha’s List and it led me to your website. I read your article “Hand on the Plow” and what you have to say is very interesting, and I believe correct. Your first few sentences describes me perfectly. I think where I differ from your example is in the 2 types of people you refer to. I have been given an understanding of a major shift the Lord has for me in terms of ministry but he hasn’t said “now…go do it now”. My question to you is what if you aren’t sure when God wants you to make the next move, much less how He wants you to do it but you know he has a “new thing” for you to do. I have heard that we should know God’s will before we do major changes and that includes God’s timing before we launch out. Then others will say to just go for it, He will bless you as you move on faith. To me, I think the former is the more prudent role. Just to be clear, I am not talking about the obvious things like reading the Bible, Tithing etc. I am talking about huge shifts with career, family, and finances. Without going on and on, I am frustrated (and sick) and any insight you may have is appreciated. PS. Your Elijah article gives hope. Thank You.
Hello Mike! Thank you for reaching out to me; I certainly want to help.
I think this is a huge time when God is “shifting” many things in the Body of Christ concerning ministry, so I completely understand your concern of when to move and how to make the transition.
With me, God has allowed me to be a part of a group of covenant partners (friends) that I surround myself with and they speak into my life and I into theirs, and this helps me. Unfortunately I did not always have that and I know some people are in the same place as I was years ago. If you have those people seek counsel and prayer; if not, pray and the peace of God will prompt you when and how move. One thing I always tell people is; when you move out, be committed, have a plan and a way to provide for yourself. Even the Apostles left all they had, but when they went into cities they used their trades to make tents, etc. so they wouldn’t be a burden on others and hinder the ministry they were sent to complete.
I know sometimes it doesn’t work out quite that way, but I believe it’s good to have a plan much like the builder who set out to built and counted the cost.
I’m praying for you! We need courageous people working in the Kingdom today and I’m proud for you.
Blessings Friend!