Burn the Ships

Music is kind of a big deal to me. I can't imagine my life without music. If you know me you know I burst out in song about every five minutes. Some people might think that is an exaggeration, but if you know me you know that is no hyperbole. When I think back to my kid days (the days when I was actually a kid and not the ones where I act my shoe size) two musicians come to mind: Mr. Steven Curtis Chapman and Mr. Michael W. Smith. My brother and I used to jam to them ALL the time. They are the soundtrack of my childhood and frequented many home videos. Tonight I have been thinking about one of my favorite Steven Curtis Chapman songs is "Burn the Ships."These are the lyrics: 

In the spring of 1519 a Spanish fleet set sail

Cortez told his sailors this mission must not fail

On the eastern shore of Mexico they landed with great dreams

But the hardships of the new world make them restless and weak

Quietly they whispered, "Let's sail back to the life we knew"

But the one who led them there was saying

Burn the ships, we're here to stay

There's no way we could go back

Now that we've come this far by faith

Burn the ships, we've passed the point of no return

Our life is here

So let the ships burn

In the spring of new beginnings a searching heart set sail

Looking for a new life and a love that would not fail

On the shores of grace and mercy we landed with great joy

But an enemy was waiting to steal, kill, and destroy

Quietly he whispers, "Go back to the life you know"

But the one who led us here is saying

Burn the ships, we're here to stay

There's no way we could go back

Now that we've come this far by faith

Burn the ships, we've passed the point of no return

Our life is here

So let the ships burn

Nobody said it would be easy

But the one who brought us here

Is never gonna leave us alone

Burn the ships, we're here to stay

There's no way we could go back

Now that we've come this far by faith

Burn the ships, we've passed the point of no return

Our life is here

So let the ships burn

The whole song is about completing the mission set forth for the adventurer. Too many times we all start a journey with good intentions and hope for the best to only give in when it gets a little rough. We are like "I'm out. What I had before wasn't that bad. At least I knew what to expect."  It reminds me of the Israelites complaining to God about eating manna all the time, and saying "Oh God why did you bring us out here?! We were better off in Egypt." Right they were better off in a place that killed their sons, put them in bondage, basically treated them like garbage....okay I'm totally seeing their point (rolling my eyes).  Sad to say we are not much better. When God gives me a vision of what He wants to do I am pumped and fully on board, but when it starts to go differently from what I imagined I become jumpy. I start to question and ask "Why are You having me go through this? How can this be Your perfect will? It doesn't feel good." First off as the lyrics of Mr. Chapman's song shows the Enemy uses our feelings to lead us astray. We can't trust our feelings. They are too easily manipulated by circumstances. God's truth has to be our foundation. We also have to take away the option of turning back and fleeing from God. Deciding not to press on is as stupid as if the Israelites turned around and went back to Egypt to be slaves once again. We need burn our ships to fully rely on Christ and make Him our only option. 

He never promised it would be easy. Growing never is. There is a reason why the phrase "growing pains" came into being. However, He did say that He would never forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8)     We serve a loving God who wants so much for us, and the little that is required on our end is truly small with the abundance He gives us in return. Just like in working out the pain that produces the muscle isn't fun at the time, but flexing those muscles once you have them is awesome!