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Looking Back

             Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)

 

            When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them.  As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!”

             …But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:16-17 & 26)

 

            One explanation I’ve heard for what is said in Luke is that the plowman who looks back, or away from his work, is likely to plow a crooked row. I suppose it’s equally likely that such a plowman would trip, twist his ankle, or break a leg by stepping into the furrow that he’s not looking at. But it recalls the story of Lot’s wife, who “looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.” One of the explanations I’ve heard for that is that she didn’t casually look over her shoulder, but that she hung back, looking longingly at the home that was lost to her. Her heart was still in Sodom, so her feet dawdled, and she was caught in the judgment.

            We’re taught to remember what has gone before and teach our children about what God did in the past, which takes us back to the question of what “looking back” means. This may not be all of what looking back means, but yesterday, someone asked a question about values. Which did I value more, health, wealth, or relationships? Of course, the good answer is “Relationships,” but I added a couple options and put relationships at the bottom of the list. And since then, I’ve been struggling with the past, rehashing the pain both felt and caused. Oh, it’s all water under the bridge. I’ve worked through it all, but I’m still picking through the “garbage” and “reminiscing.” And I don’t need Jesus to tell me that I’m not fit for service in the kingdom in this state.

            The same can be said if we find ourselves dwelling on how wonderful life was whenever. Things were great in the (name that decade.) This sort of looking back keeps us from proper service in the kingdom. But not being fit for the kingdom doesn’t mean we’re in danger of being kicked out of the kingdom. It does mean that we’re incapable of participating in the kingdom. If we’re stuck somewhere or somewhen else, we’re not present when needed. It’s like having a nasty cold and being stuck in bed.  You’re not good for anything in that state.

            Instead, we need to focus on the task at hand, whatever it may be.

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