Burn the Ships

New things bring quite a bit of excitement to our lives. Emmie started school this past week, and each morning I am the designated chauffeur for her. On the way to school each morning, I let her pick out the songs we listen to. For the past month or so, Lynsey has gotten her really into the band, "For King and Country." It was no surprise when Emmie picked several songs from this band for our morning commute. One of the songs called "Burn the Ships" got me thinking a lot about life. In the chorus of the song, the lyrics say

"Burn the ships, cut the ties

Send a flare into the night

Say a prayer, turn the tide

Dry your tears and wave goodbye."

The song's context deals with someone who has struggled with substance abuse and their desire to leave it and move on from something hindering their relationship with God. As school begins, it brings about a new time for most of us. I love Sundays, the 1st day of the month, the New Year or even a birthday because it signifies something new. It's time to reevaluate where I have been and where I want to go. Now that schedules are more solidified and we leave summer break for a more strict routine, I want to challenge you to see what ships you may need to burn. The song may pay homage to the famous explorer Cortez, who is said to have burned the ships of his men trying to escape back to their country. The whole idea, of course, is to get rid of the things holding you back and only look forward.

Paul wrote in Philippians 3:12-14

Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.

I want to encourage you to look ahead to the reward that God has set for us. Jesus said anyone who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is unfit for the Kingdom. For now, I will burn the ships of late nights with movies, sugar, and games on school nights and move into parenthood with school!

Will