What is the most fundamental lesson you have to learn when you first learn to drive a car?  I can still hear my dad telling me countless times, “Keep your eyes on the road!”  As simple as it may sound, this can be a hard lesson to learn!  As a young driver, I had to learn that my primary job wasn’t to talk to friends or pick out music on the radio; it was to focus on navigating the road so that I arrived safely at my destination. 

 

Have you ever tried to drive a car while looking backwards?  It’s a sure recipe for disaster.  Although they didn’t have cars in Jesus’ day, they did have a multitude of plows; and Jesus is using this easily understood imagery to make the same point.  You can’t operate a plow while looking backwards, and more importantly; you can’t follow Him and still have your heart and mind focused on other things. 

 

Jesus deeply desires that you might have life to its fullest (Jn. 10:10).  It’s important to remember this when we read passages like Luke 9.  He isn’t trying to steal away our joy or life, He’s trying to help us see that following Him is the only true source of life and happiness.  We must prioritize our commitment and devotion to Him above all else.  Avoid the distractions that lie behind you and focus fully on your faithful service within the kingdom of God!