Hand to the Plow

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.

As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:51-62

Hand to the Plow

Hand to the plow, sisters and brothers
there is work to be done in this sun
we have waiting out the harsh storms
watches as the lightening struck there
listened as the thunder held us indoors.

Oh, we miss the one we have left behind
the loved ones who have passed on before
the wise elders who labored before us
the carefree children we once had been
the winter evenings listening to the stories.

Hand to the plow, friends and neighbors
the earth has warm and is ready for seed
the winds are mild and will cool our heads
the rain has filled the rivers and streams
work before us and around in plenty.

Oh, ther is too much for one alone to do
yet if we lean in together and share 
the load will not be so great as it seems
the burdens lighter we carry together
the homecomings wonderful to anticipate.