Do Not Look Back (Luke 9:60-62)

As I reflected on Romans 1:1, God led me to examine the condition of my own heart. I was reminded of how He called me to begin a spiritual movement called Revive Borneo. From the moment God placed this burden in my heart, I knew that there would be a price to pay in order to carry out this calling. It would require obedience, sacrifice, perseverance, and a willingness to surrender my own will to Him.

In May, I attended a National Planning meeting with leaders from various strategy teams of Malaysia Campus Crusade for Christ. The day before I presented Revive Borneo, I was meditating on Luke 9:60–62.

As I meditated on this passage, I sensed God speaking to me that I would present Revive Borneo the following day, even though no leader had yet informed me when I would be given the opportunity to share.

Through this passage, God gave me a very clear warning: Do not look back. In other words, do not give up, do not allow fear to take control, and do not stop simply because the journey becomes difficult. A person who has already placed their hand on the plow cannot keep looking back. God was calling me to remain obedient, to keep plowing the field He had entrusted to me, and to trust Him for the results.

"Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God." (Romans 1:1 NASB)

When Paul introduced himself as a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, I began to understand more deeply that his life was no longer centered on his own desires. As a servant, he surrendered himself to the will of Christ. As an apostle, he lived as a messenger sent to carry God’s message. As one who was set apart for the gospel, he allowed God’s purpose to shape the direction, priorities, and boundaries of his life.

This is the cost of discipleship for everyone who desires to follow Jesus. We are called to deny ourselves, surrender our own will, and give our entire lives to the purposes of Christ. We no longer live merely to pursue our own plans, comfort, or dreams. We live for the One who has called us, saved us, and sent us.

However, we do not surrender our lives in order to earn God’s love or acceptance. We surrender because He first loved us, redeemed us, and called us. Our surrender is a response to His grace.

I want to encourage all of us to follow Paul’s example—to willingly surrender our own desires, to be available as God’s messengers, and to live lives that are set apart for the proclamation of the gospel of Christ. May our identity in Christ truly shape the way we live, make decisions, use our time, and serve others.

May this be the response of our hearts to God: