Burn the Ships
One day I set out on a journey into, what was at the time, the unknown. This place offered new surroundings. There was a curiosity, desire, and unquenchable thirst to know more about this new place God had ushered me into. There was only one catch. Life as I knew it before still plagued me with it's guilt and shame.
When I arrived at this new place with God, He made it clear that my past, my sin, my disgusting fleshly choices were no more a part of my existence. He made me a new creation the moment I conceded my frail will and took on what He wanted for this child.
As I arrived at this new juncture of life, I looked around. The ship that had taken me to this present point in time was sure to take me wherever I wanted to go after this journey. I could direct the stern. I could change the course. I could decide enough was enough and head back to familiarity. But one day I realized- there's nothing to go back to.
There was not a single thing in my past that would forever change my direction. Only, the present. This is the place every Christ follower must come to. It's a place where we realize- it's all or nothing. We love all of God, or none of God. We want His blessings and His discipline, or....we don't. It's black or white, there is no grey. God's word says He will spit the luke warm person out of His mouth. Marinade on that for just a second.
In this new place, I quickly realized that it's time to get off of the ship, explore the land, and get moving toward whatever God has in store. We are merely pilgrims, by the way. This Earth is not our home. We are only passing through. Resident aliens, you might call us. I step off the boat and I see that this new land is not anything like I'm used to. I feel out of place in the sense that I've not charted this territory before. I can't see what's around the bend, and my footing is only sure if I hear God tell me where to place each foot as I walk forward.
God in His sovereignty does whatever He pleases. He is in total control. Even when we think we are doing something grand, it's not us. He wills, He chooses, He creates vessels for honor and for dishonor.
Public Service Announcement: Each of us ought to get in our prayer closet and ask God to reveal the condition of our hearts. Then we should be willing to come under His authority and walk in newness of life. There are vessels of dishonor singing in church choirs, teaching children in churches, and creating divisions among God's true church. Are you a vessel that brings dishonor? An honest assessment never hurt anybody.
I'm on land and God is leading the way. There are no shackles on my feet, there is redemption in my life, and where I am headed is the single most important thing in my life. I stop for a moment, and deep calls to deep. There's one thing left to do. Burn the ship. Cut the ties that anchor the vessel. In the same moment say goodbye to my old life and all of the pain, sorrow, addictive tendencies, distrust, self consciousness, jealousy, pride, haughtiness, malice, anger, profane uttering, gossip, slander, murmurings, love of money, distrust, inability to come under authority. All of these things had to go away. They have to be buried in the sea of forgetfulness.
I stepped into a new day. While that ship burned, I didn't look back. I knew what I was leaving behind, and what strongholds we're being demolished.
So here I am....on this journey in pursuit of the only One who is worthy of my time, attention, focus, and future. I grew up being taught that you got saved and went on about life. That is the biggest lie churches tell folks. Salvation is a moment by moment pursuit of Christ. It's an unrelenting, coming after the God of the universe. It is a moment by moment denial of self. Scripture says it's not for everyone though. Yes, God wants everyone to love Him, but everyone cannot count the cost, lose their identity, and burn the ship. Scripture says that if we continue in His word then we really are His disciples.
We cannot keep the ship tied up at the shore so that we can bail out if and when it gets tough, uncomfortable, and dark. BECAUSE IT WILL GET TOUGH, UNCOMFORTABLE, AND DARK. But God is faithful. He gets all the glory. That's it. That really is the sum of this life. It's Him. It has to be.
What about you? Did you embark on a journey with Christ but never burn the ship? If going back to your old life was an option, friend- you didn't experience the Jesus I experienced. He changed everything. Maybe you journeyed for a while and it got too hard and you wandered back to the ship....that is why it is necessary to burn it. You can't look back. There will be no retreat in God's army. Let go of your ways and your will. Simply start pursuing Him. You don't have to keep being who you have always been. Be bold, courageous, fearless! Place your loyalty and trust in God. Let Him be in control. I've got a secret for you...you are not in control now, or ever whether you place your trust in God or not. You will always be...the created.
Get off the boat already. It's a new day! We can rise from our past and all of the foolish mistakes we made, and mindsets we adopted. You either love God or you hate Him. This will be evidenced by your fruit and your willingness to come under God's authority.
Burn the ship. And don't you look back.
