Faith that mows bubbles
When we let the distractions of the world divert us from serving God, things go awry.
And Jesus said unto him, “No man, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.” —Luke 9:62
My father always had a substantial garden, and he regularly had to push a hand plow through it to make the long, hilly rows in which to sow seeds. I did it a few times. It’s tough work, but also delicate: if you look backward while you’re plowing instead of keeping your eyes fixed on your destination, your rows will be crooked, and your garden will look ridiculous.
Jesus uses that image in Luke 9:62 to help explain that those who look back after determining to follow the Lord are not well-suited for the Kingdom of God. Ephesians 6:7 similarly suggests that we are to serve the Lord “wholeheartedly.”
This means helping God with relentless devotion. When we let the cares and distractions of the world divert us from doing so, things go awry, like a crooked garden.
As a teacher, I must live out the values that Jesus gives me, even though a hundred daily distractions tug my tweed coattails for attention. I can’t manage those diversions and frustrations by looking away from my values—I must manage them through my values. Faith and love are my plow. The destination—honoring God—lies forward, not backward.
When my nephew was about three years old, he got a bubble mower for his birthday. It was his favorite gift. (For those who don’t know, a bubble mower doesn’t mow bubbles; it produces bubbles. I know. It doesn’t make sense. But let’s not get distracted.)
Just after dawn the next day, my brother was awakened by a phone call from the neighbor.
“Do you know where your son is?” the neighbor asked.
“I hope he’s in bed,” my brother said.
“He’s not. Look outside your window.”
My brother peeked out of his bedroom window to see my nephew, naked as a jaybird, merrily pushing his bubble mower up and down the front lawn.
In his three-year-old innocence, he had a job to do. It didn’t matter to him what that job looked like to others. Too early? Not a problem. No clothes? Meh. What mattered was wholeheartedly—and enthusiastically—performing the task at hand.
God wants each of us to live the Christian life and attack all of our duties with a similar passion.
Don’t worry if that sounds challenging. Jesus knows what it’s like to be us. He knows we face persuasive distractions from our values and purpose. He is kind enough to forgive those lapses and set us in front of the bubble mower to push forward anew.
And if we truly throw our full hearts into seeking and serving Him, He will bestow us with the kind of passion that moves a child to run naked through bubbles at dawn. Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy.”
What path is your life taking? Is it the path God is showing you? Are you following it without looking back? Most importantly, are you following it in His presence?
“A Sunday Hymn” by Oliver Wendell Holmes
American poet and philanthropist Holmes (1809-1894) wrote several poems about faith. This is the final stanza of one called “A Sunday Hymn,” which has, in fact, been turned into a hymn by some churches. The stanza expresses the desire for each of us to serve the Lord wholeheartedly.
By referring to individuals as “living altars,” the poem suggests that our lives, not our rituals, are the true source of offerings and sacrifices in honor of God. You can read the full poem here.
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Thank you for reading!
July was exciting, with a trip to New York for my wife’s family reunion! And now my attention turns back to school which will be starting in just a couple of weeks. In between, I enjoyed writing this brief devotional for you. Thank you for reading and sharing it!
Thank you Jody! Your creative words will be spread through my family ties! Faith that mows bubbles! Love it!