HAND TO THE PLOW

Brian K.

LUKE 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, “No man, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God

After the election I felt a deep sense of relief: all the months and weeks and days that led up to it seemed like one giant “to do” and “cross off the calendar”  list. I went to bed before the final tally, and for some reason, I hoped that it would be like Christmas Eve and when I awoke the next morning, all would be right with the world. I had no strong views on either candidate, but I prayed that whoever won, that God would be in the details of his administration.

 Luke 11:33 No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lamp stand, that those who come in may see the light. 

 But the answer to my prayer was not about who won the presidency, but it was a reminder that there is a lot of work for “us” the lights of this world to do. And I pondered hard over that, and I realized the true meaning of the admonishment to “trust not in the arm of the flesh”.  We are children of the kingdom and the only real privilege we have is to serve God and his children. We render to our government what is their right to require of us, but we give our heart's and might, our mind and our soul's to God.

I love watching old cowboy and Indian movies, and I have always felt sorry for those poor travelers stuck in their covered wagons bravely fighting off those Indian attacks as they circled their wagons. Is it time to circle the wagons, or should we prepare to "bug" out?

In Luke 9, the Savior is met by 3 seemingly random people, who want to follow him, to be a part of his ministry. 

Luke 9:57-5957 And it came to pass as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him; Lord, I will follow thee wheresoever thou goest. (In Luke the word "certain" points to one who is known, and possibly an investigator or following.)

58 And Jesus said unto him "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." (Jesus literally depends on the "kindness" of friends and strangers for room and board, food, etc)

So it seems that this "certain" man was not up to the challenge of seeming uncertainty in where he would live, or even sleep. Jesus extended the invitation again to another:

59 And he said unto another "Follow me."But he said "Lord suffer me first to go and bury my father.

60 And Jesus said unto him: Let the dead bury their dead, but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 

Does it seem like Jesus was not understanding of their "issues" at home, or the state of the Union? In verse 62

LUKE 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, “No man, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God

At some point we have to remember our duty to God, our promise to follow him, no matter what. God will take care of us.
Elder Jeffery Holland gave a timely talk in the Oct 2012 General Conference:

The First Great Commandment by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland:

Quote:" If ye love me, keep my commandments, Jesus said. So we have neighbors to bless, children to protect, the poor to lift up, and the truth to defend. We have wrongs to make right, truths to share, and good to do. In short, we have a life of devoted discipleship to give in demonstrating our love of the Lord. We can't quit and we can't go back."   

In 2 Timothy 3:12-14

12 Yea and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse, deceiving and being deceived

14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.

I am excited about our future.