Burn the ship and don’t look back
By Jim Boesch
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.”
–– Philippians 3:13
“And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.”
––Luke 5:37-38
At a recent retreat of leaders of UM Men in snowy Nashville, someone brought up “Burn the Ships,” a 2018 song performed by an Australian Christian pop duo for King & Country You Tube channel.
The title was mentioned numerous times as the group set plans for 2022 with new leaders and changing expectations
The challenge, in these annual brainstorming planning sessions, is to stay focused on the future without reminiscing about the “good old days.”
I offer you a few of the lyrics to help you make sense of my musings:
“We've got to burn the ships, cut the ties, send a flare into the night; say a prayer, turn the tide, dry your tears and wave goodbye.
Step into a new day!
So, light a match, leave the past, burn the ships, and don't you look back.
We're born again, our hopeful lungs can breathe again Oh, we can breathe again
Step into a new day!”
As we go through changes in management, and as we complete the casting of God’s 2022 purpose, values, and vision for our beloved General Commission on UM Men, the National Association of Conference Presidents, and the UM Foundation, we need to focus on the future, and not step back into the comfortable familiarity of the past.
We all fear downing if we leave our comfy ship.
But, there is one who walks on water who oceans cannot sink.
So, take his hand and our Lord Jesus will bring you back to shore.
My hope and prayer for all we share an awesome kingdom-building journey in 2022.
Jim Boesch, deployed staff member
The General Commission on UM Men