Hand to the Plow

Pflügen im Frühjahr (Plowing in the Spring)
oil on canvas by Aksel Waldemar Johannessen

photo source






No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.
- Luke 9:62

In more ways than one, this week was a difficult one for our family.

We had all looked forward to the day of Andre Elijah's birth. Practically all the preparations for his arrival had been made.

However, Saturday, November 13th turned out differently from what we all expected. Instead of a natural childbirth, Chosen One had to undergo an emergency C-section because the baby's life was at risk.

A few hours after the baby's birth, it was discovered that he had neonatal pneumonia. A blood infection was also discovered after his blood was tested. Jaundice set in three days later.

The baby was given oxygen, three kinds of antibiotics administered round the clock through an IV drip, and placed under a phototherapy lamp to drain the excess bilirubin from his skin. Feeding was done through a throat tube.

Chosen One was allowed to go home on Tuesday afternoon, but her baby had to remain in the natal intensive care unit.


Understandably, my son Worshiper was discouraged.

A few days before my grandson was born, I had inquired of the Lord what spiritual name to give the baby. Full of Hope was the name that rose up in my heart.

When Worshiper told me on Tuesday morning that he was really discouraged, I could not blame him. But neither could I allow the enemy access into my son's heart when he was most vulnerable.

Worshiper was the spiritual head over his wife and child. The choice was his to make.

He was at a fork in the road, and it was a crucial moment for him.

This was once my baby, but now he was no longer Mama's little boy, he has become a man - a husband...a father. It was a new role for him, and I know just how much he wanted to do his best. My heart went out to him.

But he had some important lessons to learn.

Years ago I have realized that this son of mine had a Levite anointing for worship. At age 14, he was already a keyboardist on our church's worship team. He really had a gift for music, and the heart of a worshiper.

An important role in God's kingdom, an important position in the end time army of God.

It was easy to be sidetracked by personal concerns. To give allegiance to and bow before the altar of a lesser god.

But my children are grown ups now; they are responsible for their own choices.

The best I can do at this point is to continually lift them up before God's throne... and keep praying that they make eternal, not temporal, choices.

I knew that as a mother who had battled against enemy attack many times before, I needed to defend my son against the enemy's lies. I quickly sent this text message to Worshiper:

The choice is yours to make, my son...

Reverse your spiritual stand, and let faith and hope arise in your heart.

This is spiritual warfare, and I admonish you to take your position against the enemy.


Discouragement is always an attractive option that the enemy loves to dangle before our eyes. But it is the opposite of hope; hope and discouragement can never co-exist.

The moment discouragement sets in, hope has to leave.

Discouragement is always the easy way out. It is more difficult to trust.


As I sent that message I asked God to anoint my words... drive them deep into Worshiper's heart and use them to encourage him ... rebuild courage, rebuild trust.

Worshiper was at the point where I have been many times before. I'm 57 and he's half my age. Surely he could learn a few things from me.


But... was I not afraid?


Honestly, I was.


But I knew that my covenant was with the God of life, not with the kingdom of darkness. And I chose to hold on to God.

I've been this road before. He has proven Himself to be Faithful and Reliable. But I also knew that we never remain at the same level of faith. He is always calling us to go up higher.

What do you want my son to learn, Lord?

What do you want me to learn?

The gentle voice of my Father answered the question of my heart:

No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.

On Tuesday night, during a prayer for Lito and Pamela, a couple who is part of our global ministry team, God spoke these prophetic words in my heart: Because you have chosen Me and not yourselves, watch what I will do through you.

As I released the words to them, I had such a strong sense that He was asking me to make the same choice...again.

The invitation is often extended because it is so easy to forget that I am a citizen of the kingdom of heaven...it is so easy to turn back.

The lesson was for my son, yes...but it was also for me.

I have put my hand to the plow, I will look ahead and keep plowing. There is no turning back.



A pastor once said that we are for the most part products of the low expectation school of discipleship.

That hit me.

To live as a kingdom person means that I give it my best shot. I run the race to win... not holding anything back...

Kingdom living is indeed an investment...like the merchant who sells everything he owns to purchase the pearl of great price.

Except that the king does not want my money.

He is after my heart.

Having put your hand to the plow, there is no looking back.

The trials, the disappointments, the failed expectations ... these are all part of the training course for the kingdom of heaven.

There is no easier way.

But a bountiful harvest awaits those who will not look back, give up, or grow weary in the fight.

Father, thank you for teaching me the faith lesson that my heart needs to learn. That You are a God who is completely trustworthy. That I do not need to protect my interests...by demanding that things turn out as I want them to. That there are times when You require me to yield, to put my heart on the altar...offer it to You. To go where it is not always safe...or easy ... or comfortable.



Today is Full of Hope's last day in hospital. Worshiper and Chosen One have been visiting their baby three times a day and the baby is being held by his mother up to two hours each visit. He is also breastfeeding very well.

He will finally be discharged tomorrow, Saturday, a week after he was born.

I agree with the comment of Stephanie, author of Truthsharer blog, this baby is a Mighty Warrior.

Thank you my dear friends who have journeyed with us in this season of learning to trust God at a higher level. Please continue to storm heaven's gates for us.

Day 3 - November 16, 2010

Day 3 - November 16, 2010

Can't take his eyes off his mother.
Day 4 - November 17, 2010

Day 5 - November 18, 2010

Update November 20, 2010, 4:00 p.m. :

Full of Hope was not discharged today. He is still under observation for three more days. The new date for his release is Wednesday, November 24. We continue to praise God in everything, even in this new development.


These songs are for Worshiper and Chosen One:


He Who Began a Good Work

Don't Grow Weary