Slideshow image

Burning the Plow: Fully Surrendering to God's Call

When it comes to following God's call on our lives, half-measures won't suffice. True discipleship requires complete surrender and letting go of our past to fully embrace God's destiny for us.
What Does it Mean to "Burn the Plow"?

The concept comes from the story of Elisha in 1 Kings 19, where he burns his plow and sacrifices his oxen before following Elijah. This radical act symbolized Elisha's complete surrender - he destroyed his means of returning to his old life as a farmer. He was "all in" on following God's call.
Why is Complete Surrender So Important?

God wants our whole heart, not just part of it. Scripture repeatedly emphasizes loving God with ALL our heart, soul, mind and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5, Matthew 22:37, Luke 10:27). When we hold back areas of our lives from God's control, it creates:

Bondage to our past
Limited spiritual growth 
Divided loyalty
Reduced spiritual authority
Missed opportunities for God's best

What Holds Us Back from Full Surrender?

Several common barriers prevent complete surrender:

Fear of the unknown
Pride and self-reliance
Need for control
Identity issues/feeling unworthy
Attachment to past lifestyle
Undealt with sin

The Power of Full Surrender

When we fully surrender like Elisha did:

God can use us more powerfully
We experience greater spiritual authority
Our identity in Christ becomes clearer
We're positioned for promotion
We become more like Jesus
We're freed from bondage to the past

Life Application

This week, ask yourself:

What "plows" am I still holding onto that connect me to my past?
Am I giving God complete control or trying to maintain control in certain areas?
What fears or pride are preventing my full surrender?

Take action:

Identify specific areas you haven't fully surrendered
Pray specifically about releasing those areas to God
Make concrete changes to "burn the plow" in those areas
Trust God's faithfulness as you step out in obedience

The key is making a decisive break with anything holding you back from complete surrender to God's call. Like Elisha, don't leave yourself an escape route back to your old life. Burn the plow and follow Him fully.