Spiritual Symmetry!

Winter is not even over yet and the grass needs mowing. It seems like our weather never got cold enough to stunt the growth this year. I have already heard neighbors mowing their lawns and know I must soon get out our mower and do the same. Though I have never gone crazy over fertilizing the yard, I do like it to look nice. Therefore, when I mow, my preference is for the mowing pattern to have some symmetry to it. I generally first mow a couple paths around the edge of the lawn and then mow a straight line across the yard from which to guide me in mowing the rest of the yard. In order to do that I make a mowing path by focusing STRAIGHT AHEAD toward a specific point on the other side of the lawn. This allows for the finished lawn to be left in a nice symmetrical pattern of straight lines. If I were to look back I would end up going off to one side or another and the symmetry would be lost to crooked and wayward lines.

When some came to Jesus stating their desire to follow Him ( Luke 9:57-62), we read…
“Jesus said to him, ‘NO ONE WHO PUTS HIS HAND TO THE PLOW AND LOOKS BACK IS FIT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD.’” ( Luke 9:62 ESV)

In order for one plowing a field to make straight furrows in which to plant the seed, the EYES MUST REMAIN STRAIGHT AHEAD. Otherwise -- just like the illustration with my mowing -- the rows will angle off to one side or the other. The one with the hand to the plow must remain focused on the task because being sidetracked by other things would hamper the process.

The same is true as we come into Christ’s kingdom. There can be great danger in looking back! In the new relationship with Christ we can LOOK AHEAD toward other new relationships within His Body (the church). (note Matthew 12:50 and 19:29) However, if we focus back on some of the relationships we had before, it is possible to be drawn back to them and therefore away from Christ. If we can help bring those others to Christ, that is good. However, we must guard against desiring again the improper things that might have been associated with those relationships of the past. THE FOCUS MUST REMAIN STRAIGHT AHEAD.

There are also types of recreation or ways in which time was spent or various other things associated with the past life that could be dangerous to look back toward. These could serve to distract us from our forward motion in Christ by giving opportunity to rekindle old desires that draw us back toward the manner in which we once lived. When we say “yes” to Christ it also means saying “no” to some other relationships and activities. If we are not willing to do so, then we are not “fit for the kingdom of God.”

Solomon exhorted…
“(25) Let your eyes LOOK DIRECTLY FORWARD, and YOUR GAZE BE STRAIGHT BEFORE YOU. (26) Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. (27) DO NOT SWERVE TO THE RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT; turn your foot away from evil.” ( Proverbs 4:25-27 ESV)

May we keep our FOCUS STRAIGHT AHEAD toward God so that we can continue developing a symmetry of life that is neither to the left or the right, but rather kept in a straight line with the Will of God. It is a sameness with Him we are being called toward.

Have a great day FOCUSING ONWARD AND UPWARD IN CHRIST!
Carl

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