ODB: Plowing Straight Lines
November 7, 2011
When you keep your eyes on Christ, everything will come into focus.
READ: Philippians 3:8-17
I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 3:14
It’s my first day on the tractor! A crisp morning breeze brushes across the field. Crickets and country silence yield to the roar of the engine. Dropping the plow into the soil, I head out across the field. I look down at the gauges and gearshift, squeeze the cold steel of the steering wheel, and admire the power at my disposal. Finally, I look back to view the results. Instead of the ramrod straight line I was expecting, I see what looks like a slithering snake, with more bends and curves than the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
We know better. “Plow with your eye on the fence post,” we’ve been told. By staying focused on a point across the field, a person plowing is assured of a straight line. On the return I comply, with telling results: The line is straight. The row was messed up only when I didn’t have a focus point.
Paul had similar wisdom when he wrote of having his focus on Jesus Christ and the impact it had on him. Not only did he ignore distractions (Phil. 3:8,13), he set the focus (vv.8,14), noted the result (vv.9-11), and observed the pattern it sets for others (vv.16-17).
Like Paul, if we focus on Christ, we will plow a straight path and accomplish God’s purpose in our lives.
— Randy Kilgore
Source: Our Daily Bread
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It’s easy for us to be distracted in our walk with God. However, i think it’s a good constant reminder for us that our Lord, Jesus Christ, who walked this very earth had also faced difficulties for He was as human as all of us were too. However, Christ continued to follow God despite the distractions faced on earth. Let us follow the path that Christ has already carved for us as we run this race. Let us not be distracted and fix our eyes on the goal. Let us pray every time we get distracted so that at the end of times, when we meet the Lord face to face, He can say “well done, good and faithful servant”. (:
I think the distraction mentioned above implies failing to do what is right and good.
My application is this: In my decision make process, I will factor in what other feel (being sensitive) besides how will others be affected (showing love and consideration). For instance, I have my regular devotion in the late evening but my children may need my attention at that point in time. So I have to attend to them if they call for help. It is easy to get my wife and helper to attned to their needs but i would miss the opportunity to minister to them. Of course, time with God is important but I don’t think our Lord want me to fail my duty as a father. He has given me his discernment to make wise decision. My children know my habit and they will not intrude as much as possible.
So a question remain: Is distraction a good thing?
Another case in mind, some of your readers might have read this over email. A lecturer decided to change the venue for a class test. The students have to walk some distance to the lecture hall within the campus. On their way, they came across a driver that needed help to change the tyre. The students rationalized the need to keep their focus on their exam and not to be distracted and hoping that someone will come to the person aid.
During examination, the last question which will not be graded read something like this…
As you approach this lecture hall in the morning, you came across someone who needed help to change his flat tyre. Do you stop by to provide any assistance to the person?
Well, I guess the students may just walk over and see how best can they offer their help. At least they can show some care and concern or help to call.
In short, let’s not forget to do what is right and good even we may seem to be distracted for a good course. I believe I am following Jesus’ teaching and example and avoid being a hypocrite in the parable of a Good Samaritan. It is still challenging for me till this day to keep up to it.