Burn the boats is a new phrase to me and one I think you’ll find inspiring!
As the story goes, centuries ago Hernán Cortés and his men landed in Mexico. Their goal was to conquer an empire that had been hoarding some of the world’s greatest treasures. For hundreds of years prior to this, many conquerors with far more resources had tried to conquer this empire without success.
Burn the Boats
Upon arrival, Hernán Cortés had his men burn the boats they had arrived on, therefore making giving up and escaping on the boats not an option. When faced with a “succeed or die” set of options, one can often find a way to succeed! And that’s just what they did! With fewer resources and after so many years of others being unsuccessful, Hernán Cortés and his men conquered this desirable empire.
Another story along these lines is of Alexander the Great. It is said that when he arrived in Persia that he had his men burn the boats. This destroyed the Greeks’ only hope of retreat and inspired them like nothing else to win against the Persians. With only one option before them, his men had a new level of commitment to the cause of victory.
Do Your Work Heartily
Most of us will likely not set out to conquer lands or peoples, but we definitely have tasks, jobs and opportunities that we need to commit to completely. As Scripture says, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,…” Remembering that all we do should be done heartily as for the Lord puts a new emphasis on what we do, doesn’t it?
I so admire people who are committed to what they do. To a certain extent, it really doesn’t matter what they do as long as their level of commitment is strong and serious. When you work heartily at something, you’re all in, you’re in it to win it. Working heartily indicates a level of commitment and excellence that doesn’t come when you try “at” something.
There is no room for frivolity within being truly committed to something. No ifs, buts, or maybes. Burn the boats and step fully into what you have before you.
A Commitment Strategy
I read an interesting quote that went something like this: What you need is a commitment strategy, not an exit strategy.
But how do you know what to be committed to? I mean, we don’t want to beat a dead horse and be committed to the wrong thing, right? Absolutely not.
As you consider opportunities before you, pray about them. Ask God what He would have you do, ask Him to lead you in His time, that He might direct your steps and incline your heart for what He has for you. There’s no magic answer to be expected here, just that you must tune your heart to follow God’s lead.
Prayer is vital and too often underestimated. Often I believe God wants us to wait, other times He calls for action on our part. Ask for direction, seek instruction through reading His Word and being still and listening to Him, and knock on doors of opportunity. Not that you’ll literally knock on doors, but investigate possible opportunities on where He may be leading you.
Careful Consideration
Carefully weigh and consider opportunities before you commit to them, but once you commit, step into them fully. And know that with some things, even many things really, they are only for a season. Outside of marriage or your relationship with God, very few things are a till death do we part commitment.
When you take your commitments seriously, when you burn the boats on doubts or unknowns, you can make far more progress and have a much larger impact than you might otherwise have! It will take courage and commitment, strength and confidence in the path God has set before you. And the outcome might not be what you planned, but know that God has a purpose and He is never surprised.
Courage, friend. Step up, burn the boats and step more fully into the life God has designed just for you.
Until Next Time!
Hope.
PS. Need further inspiration? Keep reading: https://www.theamericanlady.com/2020/04/29/did-you-ask/