What if I "put my hand to the plow and look back"?
Many young
people are asking this question. They stepped forward at a conference when the
speaker said "Who wants to commit himself for full-time service to Christ?"
Since then, you have had doubts. You wonder whether you acted wisely, yet you
don't want to shame or disobey Christ.
Clear thought is needed here. It is true that the Lord
disapproves of vacillation, but is also true that He desires His ministers to
serve willingly and joyfully (1 Peter 5:2). if you are absolutely convinced that
full-time service is not for you, ask the Lord to forgive you for unwisely
making a commitment, and ask Him to release you from your vow, which may have
been an expression of your love for Christ, rather than a wisely made decision
to go into full-time service.
On the other hand, it is wise to ask yourself whether
selfishness or fear or laziness are getting in the way of a real desire to serve
the Lord. If so, you need to ask for His help, and the help of other believers,
to grow in maturity and obedience to God's call.