Now or Never - No Looking Back

The Bible has quite a number of strikingly memorable verses (I mean the entire Bible is but there are some that just sticks to your brain), and among them is this one: "No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God" (Lk. 9:62).  Jesus was not playing around - He sounded pretty serious.  This reminds me of another verse from the first book of Kings where the aging and dying David tells his son Solomon, "Be strong and be a man!" (1 Kg. 2:2).  To be a Christian, a follower of Christ, and a beloved child of God means to be present, look forward and not dwell on the past.  Christians are people of the here and now.  When Jesus invited the people to follow Him, they made excuses and pleaded to let them take care of some business first and then they will follow.  But Jesus basically said, "No, it's now or never."

Now, don't get confused.  Jesus was not telling the people to abandon their work, families, or other responsibilities.  He was inviting them to a deeper understanding of their lives.  He was challenging them to reconsider their priorities.  He was reminding them of what was most important: the will of the Father and the kingdom of God.  If we plan our lives and set our priorities around the kingdom of God then all that we do will bear much fruit and all that hope for will be given to us.  By planning our lives around the kingdom of God we will be surrendering ourselves to Him and putting ourselves in a position of receptivity, conducive to receiving all the graces God wishes to give to us.  When we live our lives in such a way, the saying "God will provide" will no longer be a cliche saying but a lived reality and experienced truth.  

 When we have made the decision to follow Christ, we must leave behind the past, and not look back.  Learning from our past mistakes is very different from reliving and dwelling on the past.  We are taught to learn from our mistakes - to reflect upon what happened, what I could have done differently, and how I could have carried that out.  We are not called to relive and dwell on the past - thinking about what had happened and wishing we could go back in time and change everything.  The past should help shape our present lives and propel us into the future.  The past should not cripple us and make us live in a perpetual state of regret and hinder us from moving forward.  Have you been learning from your past or dwelling upon it? 

God is inviting us to live a radical life - a life of enduring joy, fortifying hope, and unceasing love.  So, today, Jesus comes to you and asks you, "Follow me."  How will you respond?  Pray, discuss, make a decision, and don't look back.   

Father, teach me to not dwell on the past and rather to focus on the present moment for you come to me now.  Give me the grace the let go of past resentment and to embrace the gift of the present moment.  You ask that I seek first the kingdom and all else will be given to me.  Grant unto me the faith to trust in You and Your Word.  Jesus, move my heart to know that the Father truly will provide and please give me the courage to go and follow You.
The Man at the Plough by James Tissot 

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