2:305 – Burn The Ships, Cut The Nets

I was expecting to receive an interview for a job I applied for six weeks ago. Today, I found out that I wasn’t getting one. My “out” of my current situation was gone. On the way home, I listened to a song called “Burn the Ships” by For King and Country. If you want to learn more, here’s a great backstory on the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zii3-F0DkQI

In a nutshell, it’s about faith. If you don’t have a ship to go back to, or a net to catch you, then you have to have faith. When you have a ship or another “out”, then you aren’t living in faith, you are hedging your bets.

I have done that most of my life. While I have been a good situation, I always have an out, a backup plan, a “get out of jail free card.”Or a what if. What if my marriage didn’t work? What if my job fell through? How bout if my wealth was gone? If you have a backup, why do you need God? We are supposed to trust him in all that we do and all that we are. If we fall, he will catch you.

God is our refuge and will be there through all things. As the song says ” Burn the ships, cut the ties
Send a flare into the night
Say a prayer, turn the tide
Dry your tears and wave goodbye”. In other words, be all in with God.

Scripture

• And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19
• The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. – Psalm 34:10
• Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ – Matthew 6:31
• or I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11

Reflection

We want to provide for ourselves and our family. We try to rely on ourselves for everything. I’m a planner and want to have plan A,B,C all the way to Z. But all of our scriptures remind us that we won’t hunger, we won’t go naked, go has plans to help not harm us. He will give us everything that we need.

This doesn’t mean to be foolish and squander what he gives us. It means that we shouldn’t be afraid to follow him. Our church is building a new building and there is fear on how we are going to raise the money. So much fear that some didn’t want to move. But God will provide. When you have faith, we need to

“Step into a new day
We can rise up from the dust and walk away
We can dance upon the heartache, yeah
So light a match, leave the past, burn the ships
And don’t you look back “

This is so scary for me and many I know. If I take another job that pays less, how will we make ends meet? If we move, will we make friends? What does God want us to do?

God will always be there. We have to have true faith and turn it over to him. Our faith in him will be rewarded.

Challenge

Are you willing to burn the ships and drop your net? Are you hedging your bets against God? Remember faith is truly rewarded. Look at the ships in your harbor and try to let them go. It won’t be easy, but let God do his work.

Prayer

Lord, we love you and trust you. You have given us all of these promises and yet we still worry. We are scared that if we don’t have our exit plans or plan b, we will fail. Be with us as we turn it all over to you. You will be there for us always. Help us in our unbelief and fear. We are your children and you love us. Let us fully embrace what you have for us. We burn our ships and turn our sights to you. In your name, Amen.