Jesus' plowing metaphor; he said that anyone who puts a hand to the plow and looks back isn't suited for the empire of God. Plowing is an activity of intensity that requires utter focus.  Many people who rush to become followers of Jesus in a stir of what they take to inspiration have given no thought whatsoever to the demands being a follower of Jesus places on anyone who joins in.  Excuses and false piety and tale tell signs of those who will fail at it.  There are plenty of people, however, who don't fail, who put their hands to the plow and never look back; who become followers of Jesus and regardless of the costs and consequences never fail to keep moving forward in living as best they can the way he lived.   Episode Art:  photo--plowing as Jesus would have plowed.