Ain't Nothing Back There For Me: Keeping My Hand on the Plow

My cute AI character. This season God is moving wonderfully in healthy eating and fitness

I hate to be the writer who always talks about food—but this is where the Lord has me in this season. So if you’ll bear with me, I promise you this article may mention food, but it really isn’t about food at all.

In a previous articles here and here, I shared how the Lord has called me to a vegetarian diet. For some people, eating vegetarian is no big deal. Where are my vegetable-loving, plant-based readers? Go ahead—wave your hands, make some noise right where you’re reading this (smile).

And then there are others who gasp at the idea. Proverbial pearls are clutched. Faces are incredulous. No meat?! Ever?!

I grew up in the Midwest, where meat wasn’t just food—it was culture.

My grandmother, who moved from Mississippi to Missouri during the Great Migration and was the BEST cook, prided herself on how many meats showed up at our holiday table.

Some families had to choose between turkey or ham.

Not us.

We had turkey, ham, prime rib, chitterlings—and one year, lamb was also included. My carnivorous upbringing didn’t stop at holidays either.

My family bought a half-cow every year. Two deep freezers stayed full with meat. I ate meat

A healthy spring mix salad with cottage cheese, olives and onions

daily.

In college, a friend—horrified by my meat-and-potatoes diet—nicknamed me “Carnivore.”

So no, becoming vegetarian was not some trendy thing for me.

Over the years, I’ve intentionally invited God into my eating. And gently He began pointing out how certain foods had become substitutes for Him.

When I was hurt, I ran to salty chips instead of God.

When I was stressed, offended, or overwhelmed, I reached for cookies and sodas instead of asking the Lord to heal me at the root.

Little by little, God removed some foods and added others. And recently, I felt a very clear call to eat vegetarian. Maybe it’s forever. Maybe it’s just for this season. But I know that this year, this is the assignment God has given me.

When I first sensed the call, I said yes—but if I’m honest, it was a reluctant yes.

I knew it was going to be hard.

My husband loves meat and gets grumpy when meals don’t include it—so I knew it would mean cooking two meals some days. I don’t love cooking, and this would require creativity and extra effort in my shopping and cooking. I knew it was going to be a sacrifice.

Even though I knew God was in this, I was hesitant. A little angry and resentful. I was also curious, but not fully convinced.

I’ve walked with God long enough to know resisting Him never ends well—but my heart wasn’t fully sold on how to do this and if I would really go through this.

Have you ever given God a reluctant yes?

A reluctant yes to leading something. A reluctant yes to staying when you wanted to bolt. A reluctant yes to obedience when it felt inconvenient or costly.

Recently, while in the shower, the Lord began showing me what a reluctant yes feels like from His perspective. One verse kept rising in my spirit:

“No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”Luke 9:62 (NIV)

I asked God what He wanted me to understand.

A concoction of food - beans, gnocchi and spaghetti squash. Shrugs. It was okay and it fueled my body.

He reminded me of a past relationship I had with a guy.

The man said he loved me, but I never felt emotionally safe. He was unsure. I didn’t quite fit his physical preferences. And although there was a lot of “good,” in our relationship, I always knew in the back of my mind that I wasn’t fully chosen.

That instability—that feeling of being tolerated but not fully embraced for who I am—that’s what God compared to my reluctant obedience towards Him.

In essence, God was saying: If you’re going to commit Kacie, then commit.

No over-explaining to friends or family at lunch. No apologizing for my obedience, or reminiscing longingly about former seasons God is no longer in. No dragging your feet while holding the plow.

Looking back while plowing makes the work crooked.

It’s like being married but constantly daydreaming about former relationships. You’re technically present—but not fully committed.

Jesus didn’t say the person who never takes the plow isn’t fit. He said the one who TAKES IT AND LOOKS BACK  isn’t fit.

There’s a difference and when God showed me that I was like, Wow!

When we look back, we lose focus.

We open the door to distraction, discouragement, and deception. And eventually, we stop moving forward.

So how am I keeping my hand on the plow?

I keep sharing my journey. I ask God daily for grace, strength, and surrender, and I give Him my yes again—this time with intentional joy.

When temptation whispers, “Remember how good it used to be? When you ate this and that” I respond out loud:

God loves me. .He has called me to this. I love God more than I love meat. God gives me strength to do everything He calls me to do.

Ya'll I am saying it often and boldly.

I pray this encourages you to keep your hand on the plow too.

Whether God has called you to raise children, lead in ministry, go back to school, stay in a hard season, change your habits, or walk a road that feels unfamiliar—don’t look back.

God is with you. He's with me. He has been faithful to us before, and our obedience always carries reward.

Hi, my name is Kacie Starr Long. I am an author, and speaker and I love to use my voice to point people to Jesus. When I'm not writing, I'm either hanging out with my husband or sewing. God delivered me from food addiction and I have a sewing ministry, called the Sew Hope . I am the proud wife of Alfred T. Long, Sr and together we lead a non-profit that provides services for those battling substance abuse and those impacted by incarceration. Connect with me at www.InspiredOverflow.com and via my YouTube page for Christian teachings and encouragement.

PS Friends: I've recently published a NEW book called War On the Floor. This book is for those with a loved one who is deep in addiction. It's a collection of prayers to help you remain focused and strengthened as you believe God for breakthrough. There is truly power in prayer! Order your copy today.