Have always struggled a bit to understand this passage

[whatevergirl]

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

I have often wondered how to apply this to my life…or how this applies in my life, might be the better question. Some here know, that my family and I moved to Florida a few years ago. We prayed about things before we made the move–we truly felt like it was a blessing from God, God’s will even, for us to relocate to FL. (I won’t go into the number of signs or reasons that pointed to this, but just wanted to give some background) The first year was great, but this past year–ugh–I find myself ‘‘looking back’’ as this Scripture says…thinking that maybe we shouldn’t have come here…sometimes even have regrets. I don’t want God to feel that I am not fulfilled…I try to do His will everyday, but I can’t help but wonder if looking back at what our life was like, and wanting to move back to Pgh…if that somehow is what Jesus was speaking of, in this Scripture.

Can you help? How does this apply in our everyday lives? **

 

[Church_Militant]

Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."* Luke 9:62

**I have often wondered how to apply this to my life…or how this applies in my life, might be the better question. Some here know, that my family and I moved to Florida a few years ago. We prayed about things before we made the move–we truly felt like it was a blessing from God, God’s will even, for us to relocate to FL. (I won’t go into the number of signs or reasons that pointed to this, but just wanted to give some background) The first year was great, but this past year–ugh–I find myself ‘‘looking back’’ as this Scripture says…thinking that maybe we shouldn’t have come here…sometimes even have regrets. I don’t want God to feel that I am not fulfilled…I try to do His will everyday, but I can’t help but wonder if looking back at what our life was like, and wanting to move back to Pgh…if that somehow is what Jesus was speaking of, in this Scripture.

Can you help? How does this apply in our everyday lives? *

One of my favorite passages.

I have always thought that it applies mostly to our following Him and the context certainly bears that out.

57] As they were going along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
58] And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.”
59] To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
60] But he said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
61] Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.”
62] Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

I see Our Lord pointing out (as He often does) that following Him is not going to be easy and it seems to me to tie in with another passage from Luke 17:7-10 which says,

7] “Will any one of you, who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep, say to him when he has come in from the field, Come at once and sit down at table'? **8**] Will he not rather say to him, Prepare supper for me, and gird yourself and serve me, till I eat and drink; and afterward you shall eat and drink’?
9] Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded?
10] So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, `We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”

To me it just removes all the ego from the equation of following Our Lord. Paul talks about how he could boast, but won’t because it’s not his ability but God’s grace and the Holy Spirit doing everything in his life.

As for your verse. I don’t know if it really applies so much to your moving to Florida and wondering if you did the right thing or not now, but more likely has to do with those of us who stumble along the way.

If I quit my faith every time I had problems, I’d be standing in the middle of the street yelling something like, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not gonna take it anymore!” at the top of my lungs, but I have found that the Lord is faithful. No matter what we go through, He’s right there with us all the way…and that my friend, makes ALL the difference.

I hope this helps a bit. You’re in my prayers.
Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum.

 

[whatevergirl]

*That is a very refreshing way of looking at this, thank you! I didn’t expect to get that, today. I am reading a book and this passage came up…and the author gave examples…he said, it would be like someone who gets married, and never fully commits to loving his/her spouse the way the Lord intended…just sort of half commits. It is like someone who lives in the past. When I read that last sentence, I find myself looking back a lot…I don’t know why that is, really. I have confessed sins, but I will mull over them. Even though I know God has forgiven me…I still look back at them with regret, instead of letting go of them once and for all. We came to Florida, and truly felt it was God’s plan for us…everything fell into place…now, after hitting some challenges here in the past year…I question God’s plan. I suppose one could say about me…’‘oh, when things get tough, you doubt God’s plan?’’ To that, maybe I say yes. Maybe. lol I don’t doubt God’s love, but I find myself looking ahead to what He wants from me, yet my head is on a swivel sometimes looking back at the past…like what might have been…and maybe we (my dh and I) shouldn’t have done this or that. It is a terrible waste of time, to be given the time that God has given to me, and yet, I spend it sometimes on wasteful thinking of what might have been, or second guessing everything I ever do. The past is the past…it’s not that we can’t have memories of things, but I find myself missing my past…more than cherishing the present. That is the problem, I think…and if Jesus were before me…He might say…’‘stay focused on me, not on your past…but on where you are heading with Me.’’

It’s easy to hear His voice lately…it’s been a blessing, but I’m scared to let go of the past. I don’t know why that is. And this passage keeps turning up everywhere…so God must want me to be acquainted with it. What do you think of what I’m saying, here? *

 

[whatevergirl]

*I think this could be it…what do you think?

Maybe like you say, it has a more spiritual meaning…and thus, when we hit challenges on the path to following Christ…and we turn INWARD instead of to Him…that is what He means…that we look back…we turn away from Him…and we seek something to comfort us other than Him. We think by turning back to old ways, might help us…but we are new creations in Christ. We should cherish that. I do…I really do…but, there are days, when I don’t give my concerns and worries to God. I often confess that. I sometimes feel like I’m burdening Him…although, I know better. The move here was not of my design. It was of God’s…and I say that,because my company approached me with this whole thing…and it seemed like a good idea to my husband and me. I think God wanted to test my faith…and brought us to a place not of my design…or my choosing. I don’t hate it here,but find myself not seeing the bigger picture, and looking back to the old and familiar in Pgh. I don’t know if it’s Pgh I miss sometimes, or I’m just afraid to follow Christ any further…here.

I try. I just sometimes want off of the plow…*

 

[DanteAlighieri]

*That is a very refreshing way of looking at this, thank you! I didn’t expect to get that, today. I am reading a book and this passage came up…and the author gave examples…he said, it would be like someone who gets married, and never fully commits to loving his/her spouse the way the Lord intended…just sort of half commits. It is like someone who lives in the past. When I read that last sentence, I find myself looking back a lot…I don’t know why that is, really. I have confessed sins, but I will mull over them. Even though I know God has forgiven me…I still look back at them with regret, instead of letting go of them once and for all. We came to Florida, and truly felt it was God’s plan for us…everything fell into place…now, after hitting some challenges here in the past year…I question God’s plan. I suppose one could say about me…’‘oh, when things get tough, you doubt God’s plan?’’ To that, maybe I say yes. Maybe. lol I don’t doubt God’s love, but I find myself looking ahead to what He wants from me, yet my head is on a swivel sometimes looking back at the past…like what might have been…and maybe we (my dh and I) shouldn’t have done this or that. It is a terrible waste of time, to be given the time that God has given to me, and yet, I spend it sometimes on wasteful thinking of what might have been, or second guessing everything I ever do. The past is the past…it’s not that we can’t have memories of things, but I find myself missing my past…more than cherishing the present. That is the problem, I think…and if Jesus were before me…He might say…’‘stay focused on me, not on your past…but on where you are heading with Me.’’

It’s easy to hear His voice lately…it’s been a blessing, but I’m scared to let go of the past. I don’t know why that is. And this passage keeps turning up everywhere…so God must want me to be acquainted with it. What do you think of what I’m saying, here? *

The context of the scripture quote that appears in a response to your OP seems to indicate that Christ is chastising the “lukewarm” – those who are torn between Him and their worldly attachments. This is not to say that earthly attachments are all meaningless, but rather that nothing is as important as our attachment to Him and our obedience to him. In other words, no obligation ever trumps our obligation to obey Him.

I hope this is helpful…

Peace,
Dante

 

[Vile_Servant]

Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." Luke 9:62

I have often wondered how to apply this to my life…or how this applies in my life, might be the better question. Some here know, that my family and I moved to Florida a few years ago. We prayed about things before we made the move–we truly felt like it was a blessing from God, God’s will even, for us to relocate to FL. (I won’t go into the number of signs or reasons that pointed to this, but just wanted to give some background) The first year was great, but this past year–ugh–I find myself ‘‘looking back’’ as this Scripture says…thinking that maybe we shouldn’t have come here…sometimes even have regrets. I don’t want God to feel that I am not fulfilled…I try to do His will everyday, but I can’t help but wonder if looking back at what our life was like, and wanting to move back to Pgh…if that somehow is what Jesus was speaking of, in this Scripture.

Can you help? How does this apply in our everyday lives?

what Jesus taught was that we need not only to start off with good intentions to renounce our sinful life and to keep His commandments, we need to persevere, run the good race and fight the good fight to win the crown of glory in heaven. “looking back” in that context would mean “returning to our former life of sin and rejecting Christ”.

i don’t think your moving between FL and Pgh has anything to do with it. God does not mind where you live, as long as you continue love Him and keep his commandments.

 

[whatevergirl]

what Jesus taught was that we need not only to start off with good intentions to renounce our sinful life and to keep His commandments, we need to persevere, run the good race and fight the good fight to win the crown of glory in heaven. “looking back” in that context would mean “returning to our former life of sin and rejecting Christ”.

i don’t think your moving between FL and Pgh has anything to do with it. God does not mind where you live, as long as you continue love Him and keep his commandments.

I am so glad I posted this–you have all helped me see this now. (better anyways lol) Thank you for this post, also. I see what you are saying. I thought about it more after I posted…that while God IS in the details of our lives (moving to Florida vs staying in Pgh, let’s say for example) it’s in how we conduct ourselves NO MATTER WHERE WE LIVE, that matters to Him. I started off ‘‘the race’’ very well here, but lately, have been reverting back to some bad patterns of thinking…turning inward or clinging to some earthly habits or things to find comfort. If I can’t turn to Him during my times of challenge, it won’t matter where I live. Challenges will be there too, and if I always make excuses as to why I don’t turn to Him in times of difficulty (and things haven’t been all that difficult honestly) then, I will repeat the behavior again, if I return to Pgh…or no matter where I live. My husband said…’‘just because we felt God’s hand was in our move here, doesn’t mean we don’t have a responsibility to rise to the challenges that sometimes life throws at us. You seem to want God to swoop down and remove all challenges, but that isn’t how He works.’’ He is very right on that…I sometimes DO want God to swoop down and rescue me away from whatever challenge I’m facing…my parents died when I was a child, and there is this part of me that has a sense of entitlement, dare I admit. That God should shelter me and my family here on out, because I suffered as a child so.

I don’t like that I have to put my hand to a plow, and work towards Christ, sometimes. But, He requires a relationship with us, not for us to sit back and expect Him to do all the work in our lives…we do have to show up to the race, I guess.

Does this make sense? *

 

[Lancer]

In general, I believe that the Lord’s Word is saying…no one or nothing can be put first once we become a disciple of Christ…as the spiritual saying goes…He Wants…Yes He Demands Everything Of/From US…unconditionally…no holding back anything for anyone or any reason…but, incredibly…He very infrequently takes or actually asks very much from us…to me, this His demand is more about the depth in our soul/heart and the truth of our unconditional commitment to Him as a true disciple!

I mean in all honesty, I call myself a Christian and a disciple of Christ…but in reality…I am still pretty selfish and actually fearful to give him everything…unconditionally (it took me awhile to understand how demanding and challenging JP-II’s first exhortation- message as Pope actually was/is: “…Be not afraid…”!)…that’s why for me prayer and the Sacraments of Reconciliation ( confessing the “bare knuckle” truth about my sinfulness) and the Sacrifice of the Mass and Holy Eucharist are so Great…so very important! As Blessed Pope John XXIII said (paraphrasing): …*man is at his greatest when he is on his knees begging for forgiveness and mercy…!!
*
In a more specific way…I believe that this scripture verse/section is focused on: looking back or going back into our sinful ways and habits once we have had a conversion (even reminiscing about them & telling “sea stories” about the “good old days with the guys”)…or maybe submitting our well being to “the world” or “other persons”…for validation (judgment of our success or of our being well liked/popularity…or for our peace of mind and heart…the judgment of our happiness in/with life). Our Lord Jesus is the model and judge…only He…we can’t even judge ourselves very well:

1 Corinthians 4:3 (NIV)

I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.

Sometimes I have felt that when we are discerning specifics in our life (that is, after we are on the major vocation journey that He has carved out for us —married life—priest vocation — single life — ) and we ask God where he wants us to be geographically or what he wants us to do…His answer is…pick a place!..go ahead surprise me!..I guarantee you that I will find discipleship work for you wherever you go! Just be open to help others in my name while on your journey and be willing to serving me in my Church…The Body of Christ!
So…I would not worry spiritually over your decision to move to Florida…you did it withing your family duties. Now, just look for His work of discipleship in your present location…and if the practical aspects of living in Florida don’t work out…don’t be afraid to change geographical locations again.

Pax Christi

 

[whatevergirl]

*Lancer…I really enjoyed that post of yours–thank you! Blessings to you. I am soaking it in…and will make sure to read it again and again. I fear I have somehow failed at times here, then. For I have not always kept my focus on Christ, but rather on feeling sad at times, living in a place that I haven’t been thrilled with. I plan to confess this, this weekend…I am seeing now more and more what this passage means…and never fully knew all these years. It’s been a mystifying one. *