'BURN DOWN THE SHIPS! How Hernan Cortés' Command Can Inspire Courage & Determination in Business and Life!

"BURN DOWN THE SHIPS," Hernán Cortés declared, recognizing the need to ignite a fervent determination within his crew. The command echoed with the urgency to fight with the awareness that there was no turning back.

In the year 1519, on the shores of Mexico, Cortés ordered the intentional destruction of their ships, eliminating any possibility of retreat. This resolute act sent a powerful message, compelling the crew to face the unknown and confront the challenges that lay ahead with an unwavering spirit. It became a symbol of wholehearted commitment, a rallying cry urging them to fight harder, persevere, and conquer the obstacles on their path.

I couldn't shake off thoughts of this particular story throughout the day. My mind seemed to resurface with various biblical stories and scriptures that strikingly resembled the essence of this narrative. Fueled by this connection, I felt compelled to sit down and dive into the story of Hernan Cortez for a more in-depth understanding and compare this story to what God tells us in His Word.

My deep love for the Word of God resonated profoundly with the parallels I discovered between this story and various scriptures. The resemblance was so striking that it stirred my heart, invoking a passionate response. The Word of God ignites a fervor within me, a burning passion in my bones and coursing through my blood. The insatiable hunger for more revelations led me to write about it, sharing this connection in case fellow readers yearn for a similar understanding.

Here are three scriptures encapsulating the essence of Cortez's mindset— the necessity to eliminate any Plan B or safety net. When left with no alternative, we fight as if our lives depend on it.

Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV): "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."

Proverbs 4:25 (NIV): "Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you."

God's love for us transcends mere words on paper; He communicates through stories. He understands that our learning is enriched not only by direct instructions but also by narratives, visuals, people, principles, and parables. In His infinite wisdom, God shares these varied forms of communication to ensure a profound understanding that resonates deep within our being. Through stories, He paints vivid pictures that imprint His truths on our hearts.

The Woman Who Turned into a Pillar of Salt:

Before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, God, in His mercy, dispatched two angels to rescue Lot and his family from the impending calamity. Lot and his family received a command not to look back as they fled the city of Sodom to escape its impending destruction. Despite this directive, Lot's wife disobediently turned back and was consequently transformed into a pillar of salt.

Genesis 19:17 (NIV): "Flee for your lives! Don't look back, and don't stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!"

"But Lot's wife looked back, and she was transformed into a pillar of salt."

Persistently dwelling on our past can render us paralyzed and weighed down by shame. Just as staring into the rearview mirror for too long prevents us from seeing where we're headed on the road, it poses the risk of collision and hindrance to our forward journey.

To step into a bright future, we must STOP blaming past events, regrettable moments, and mistakes. 

Lessons from these experiences are essential and ongoing, but we have the power to decide not to linger on them. Whether it's a divorce, lost friendships, or a job termination, these moments are part of life. Acknowledge them, laugh at their existence, and extract the lessons, labeling them as "gems" to be treasured. These lessons serve as building blocks for a successful future, but our adversary desires us to remain in despair.

So, let's metaphorically "BURN THE SHIPS" in our lives and choose the path of growth and resilience.

The Persistent Woman and the Unjust Judge:

In Luke 18:1-8, there is a persistent woman who tirelessly sought justice from an unjust judge. This parable narrates the story of a widow who tenaciously presented her case until the judge, worn down by her persistent appeals, finally granted her justice. This remarkable woman refused to give up. How many of us could claim we wouldn't be deterred, even facing a judge? Yet, she let no title, power, or authority diminish her relentless pursuit of what was right. Her unwavering determination stands as an inspiring example for us all.

She decisively BURNED DOWN THE SHIP in her life, refusing to accept a "no" for an answer.

The Canaanite Woman's Faith (Matthew 15:21-28): A Canaanite woman approached Jesus, persistently seeking healing for her demon-possessed daughter. Despite initial resistance, her unwavering faith and determination moved Jesus, and her daughter was eventually, healed.

"Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” Jesus did not answer a word. So, his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us. "He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”“Yes, it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

She also decisively BURNED DOWN THE SHIPS in her life, refusing to accept a "no" for an answer.

The Persistent Friend at Midnight (Luke 11:5-8): Jesus told a parable about a friend who persistently knocked on another friend's door at midnight, seeking bread. The friend finally relented due to the persistent requests, highlighting the power of persistence in prayer:

Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity, he will surely get up and give you as much as you need."

This friend also decisively BURNED DOWN HIS SHIPS in his life, refusing to accept a "no" for an answer.

In the pursuit of our goals, we must embody both audacity and tenacity. Audacity signifies a bold and daring approach, a willingness to take risks and defy conventional norms with confidence, irrespective of potential criticism. On the other hand, tenacity represents the unwavering determination to persist and overcome obstacles, displaying resilience and a strong commitment to achieving objectives. It's a combination of fearlessness and persistence that propels us forward.

BURN DOWN THE BRIDGES!

In a world that often encourages softness, weakness, and fear, it's crucial to adopt a mindset that defies these norms. We need to discard a solely logical approach and embrace audacity and tenacity. It's about stepping into challenges boldly, taking risks with confidence, and being persistent in the face of difficulties. Wisdom and discernment guide this approach, reminding us that audacity and tenacity aren't reckless but rather strategic and purposeful. It's a call to be unapologetically bold, strong, and determined in our pursuit of meaningful goals.

www.KingdomRevelations.com

Copyright © Amanda Allen, Kingdom Revelations, 2024. All rights reserved. This article may be shared with acknowledgment of the author and the original source. Artwork included.