The simplicity of the land tells us the most basic and important principles. On a recent trip to Kenya in East Africa I looked out my hotel window and was reminded of a teaching Jesus gave His disciples.

I was up early preparing for a speaking engagement and actually wondering how I would introduce the topic of the day. My preparation isn't always done until I get the right story or illustration in place to start the talk. Out the back window of the hotel I saw a large open file. Slowly into focus came a team of oxen pulling an old-fashioned plow guided by two farmers. Back and forth they worked the field turning the moist soil over in preparation for another planting.

As I watched this ancient practice it came to mind what Jesus said about the cost of being His disciple. Luke tells the story of a person who came to Christ announcing, "Lord, I will follow You wherever You go." Christ's answer let the person know there would be little He could offer the person by way of material gain as a disciple: "The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head," He said, but added, "Follow Me."

Another would-be disciple asked permission to first take care of some personal matters, indicating discipleship with Jesus was not his main priority. "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God." After a third person indicated a conflict with his priorities Jesus made His major point of the day. "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:57-62).

Slowly back and forth across this Kenyan field two men worked the soil, their hands literally attached to the plow pulled by the four oxen. At the end of each row they turned the team and proceeded to the end, repeating the process until the field was done and ready for planting. They did not stop until the job was done.

I had my introduction and more. I had a reminder that a commitment to the Kingdom of God is one we make for life. There is no turning back. We cannot take our hand off the plow. The call of Christ to be His student and follower is a firm and final commitment.

Life will offer us many incentives and justifications to quit our spiritual vocation and turn from the duties of the Kingdom of God. Don't give in to the temptation. Keeping looking forward to the end of the "row." There can be no planting and therefore no harvest if we fail to work the "land," the "fields" of our calling and life. That morning in Kenya I received my introduction to my day's talk. I also had a reminder from the land to keep my hand to the plow and not to look back.