Our Scripture reading today is Luke 9:57-62.
Verse 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."
Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Dr. Luke reveals a conversation between the Lord Jesus and several unnamed men. The truth we learn is what it will take to be fully committed to Jesus Christ. We must not allow even good distractions to keep us from doing what is best. The "looking back" mentioned in verse 62 can refer to anything in my life that is taking away my focus from following Christ. In plowing a field in that day, a farmer kept the rows straight by focusing on an object in front and in the distance (such as a tree). If the farmer started to plow and kept looking behind, he would never make straight rows and do a good job plowing. In following Jesus, we are to keep our eyes on Jesus, and never take our eyes off Him. “No ploughman ever ploughed a straight furrow looking back over his shoulder.” (Barclay)
We are told in the Sermon on the Mount to put God's kingdom first in our list of things to seek after. Matthew 6:33, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Is there something or someone you are seeking after more than the will of God? It is time to stop looking all around us and re-focus our eyes on our Saviour!