In 334 B.C Alexander the Great invaded the Persian Empire with ships laden with his Greek and Macedonian warriors. He and his armada crossed the Dardanelles Strait (Hellespont), a four-mile-wide artery separating Europe from Asia Minor. By setting fire to his own transport ships anchored in the Dardanelles, Alexander torched all possibility of his army’s retreat.

As his soldiers watched their only means of escape turn to ashes, it is said that his generals confronted Alexander about his intention:

“We shall sail home – in Persian ships or die, he replied.

---

“Intention” is the anticipated outcome that guides our actions.

Intention is the current that carries aspirations and objectives.

Intention undergirds our future and, as with Alexander, often bears ambition to a powerful completion. Burning his ships signaled Alexander’s intention –  to his soldiers, to his enemies, and to himself.

When you gave your life to Christ, you burned your ships too.

Remember your awe as flames consumed your retreat?

Over the years, no trauma or catastrophe has extinguished your intention to follow Christ. Since your moment of decision, Spirit-guided intention streams beneath every upheaval in your life – whether your five senses register its existence or not.

The Spirit of Christ inhabits your intention, and what a sight! The sky glows red above a sea of anticipated conquests and the promise of eternal peace.

If you haven’t already: torch the sails of retreat and follow Jesus – your longed-for Savior, whose victory can be written upon your destiny, too.

Turn us again to yourself, O God of Heaven’s Armies. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved. (Psa. 80:7)