In the year of 1519 Hernán Cortés, with some 500 Spaniards, 16 horses and 11 boats, had landed on the inland plateau called, Mexico. The Spanish conquistador and his men set out on a conquest that hoarded great treasures. But, with only 500 men, who were without amor this would seem nearly impossible. The task was even more insurmountable by the fact that for more than 600 years, conquerors with far more resources at their disposal who attempted to colonize the Yucatan Peninsula, never succeeded. Hernán Cortés was well aware of this fact. And it was for this reason, that he took a daring approach when he landed on the land of the Mayans. Instead of charging through cities and forcing his men into immediate battle, Hernán Cortés stayed on the beach and awoke the souls of his men with passionate speeches. His speeches were aimed to ignite the souls of his men and urge the desire of riches and glory amongst his troops. As they marched inland to face their enemies, Cortés ordered, “Burn the boats.”

It was a bold commitment that should have backfired. If Cortés and his men were facing defeat, there wasn’t a retreat to save their lives. Remarkably though, the command to burn the boats had an opposite effect on his men because now, they were left with only 2 choices…die, or fight for victory. And fight they did. We know today, how Cortés’ decision to burn his boats panned out. Hernán Cortés became the first man in 600 years to successfully conquer Mexico.

We must have a commitment to the calling of God on our life that is willing to “Burn the boats.” In order to experience ALL that God has for our future we have to be 100% ALL IN. We have to burn our commitment in our heart by burning our boats that would cause us to turn back. Unless we surrender to the call, we will never see the full potential of our possibilities. God always requires us to step out in order for us to step into His provision and purpose. We must step out of our fear or comfort in order to go to the next level. For each new level of our potential we must be willing to do something we’ve never done in order to get to where we need to go.

The question is…are you committed to your mission? Are you willing to do or go wherever God calls you to? Are you willing to go ALL in and lay it all out for God? Maybe this means you need to through yourself into serving, maybe it means God is calling you to financially make a contribution, maybe it means it’s time to use your gifts and skills and put yourself out there, maybe it means you are to make a major change in your situation. Whatever the case always be willing to give up in order to go up.

Ken Blanchard said, “There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you are interested in doing something, you do it only when it is convenient. When you are committed to something, you accept no excuses.”

Here are 3 tips to be more committed…

1. Know Your Mission

It is hard to be committed to something you are unaware of. Make sure you are spending time with God so He will show you your next mission. The only way to truly know what God has for us is to seek out His plans. Never grow stagnant in your pursuit of His voice and direction for your life.

2. Know Your Strengths

When you know what God has given you concerning your gifts and abilities you can put them to use. Utilize your strengths don’t hide them. Develop your skills so that God can use you in greater ways. When you are faithful with what you have He WILL give you more of it. Just remember to always be faithful with what you DO have, don’t waste it.

3. Know Your God

Never let fear keep you from committing to your destiny. God is bigger than your fears and bigger than your situations. Never tell God how big the obstacles are, tell your obstacles how BIG your GOD is! When you know God, you will know the power that is at work within  you as a follower of Christ. Know that God is able to do anything through you and if He has called you to it, He will see you through it!