In Luke 9:62 the Lord Jesus said, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God” He said these words to stress the necessity of focus in our walk with the Lord. In our service for God, we must be so determined and resolved. Our eyes should never look back or sideways. Don’t have any other options except to follow the Lord. Our Lord Jesus stayed focused in God’s purpose till He finished God’s assignment. That is what it means to burn your bridges. You don’t have an option of return. At one occasion many people that followed Jesus returned and left following Him because they couldn’t understand His teaching. Jesus asked the twelve disciples if they too would retreat. Peter responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). There was no any option but to stay with Jesus.

Such an attitude was exhibited by Elisha in our theme scripture when He had received the calling of God through Elijah the prophet. At the time he received the call he was ploughing with two oxen which were yoked. Upon receiving the call, he took the oxen he was using and slaughtered them and cooked the meat using the yoke. This signifies burning the bridges. By that action, he was declaring, “I am leaving for good to follow God’s purpose”. That was the attitude Paul the Apostle had even when he was faced with persecutions. He vehemently declared in Acts 20:24, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the

grace of God”. Ruth too had her bridges burnt as divine calling beaconed within her. She said to Naomi, her mother in law, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16 NIV). She was decided, no turning back. If you will fulfill God’s call and experience the manifestation of greatness in Christ, burn your bridges. Keep the focus, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of your faith.