Another said, “I will follow you, Lord,
but first let me say farewell to my family at home.”
Jesus answered him, “No one who sets a hand to the plow
and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.” (Lk 9:61-62)
There are many times that we look back. We do so, ostensibly, to double-check ourselves, to make sure that we are headed in the right direction, that we have followed all the steps of a project, et cetera.
That is one reason.
The other reason is that we often look back because we doubt where we are headed, we are second-guessing ourselves.
Jesus addresses this tendency in humanity when he tells the young man, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.”
Looking back can be quite troublesome if not hazardous. Can you imagine someone plowing and looking back? The lines would not be straight at all.
Can you imagine someone driving and looking back? The car would quickly swerve out of the lane and hit another car, injuring or killing people.
Can you imagine a believer looking back instead of looking forward? That person would quickly lose the path to the Kingdom.
It does us no good to look back. We need to keep our eyes fixed forward so that we remain on the path to the Lord.
Do not live in regret. Do not live in fear. Do not live in confusion or doubt. Live, instead, confidently and in hope, knowing that Lord is with you this day and will be with you every day of your life.
You do not have to look anywhere except at the Lord. He will show you the way.
FAITH ACTION: In your prayer today, ask God for the grace of perseverance.