The Unsinkable Ship

While that story may be an urban legend, it is a fact that White Star Line hailed the ship “practically unsinkable.  This year marks the 100^th anniversary of the Titanic disaster.  In the early morning hours the ship hit an iceberg and 1,503 of its 2,308 passengers died.  There are many interesting stories of heroism and unselfish sacrifice of those who lost their lives while trying to save others.

One of the survivors, Ernst Ulrik Persson, by his own account, was pulled into one of the lifeboats by Lady Jacob Astor, the wife of millionaire developer John Jacob Astor — the richest passenger on the ship who did not survive.

While reflecting on this anniversary and reading some of the stories, There were several lessons that came to my mind. 

 (1) Everyone is in the same boat when tragedy strikes.  Rich and poor.  Young and old.  Male and female.  Problems, pain and suffering is no respector of persons. Death eventually comes to all.  The ancient Preacher of Ecclesiastes observed it was so.  That was true on the Titanic.  It is true today 100 years later. 

(2) Values are quickly altered in dire circumstances. What was once important is inconsequential.  And what once seems insignificant takes on greater worth.  The story is told of a wealthy lady who was in her state-room when she heard the orders to abandon ship.  There is no time to pack possessions. On her dressing table she saw her jewelry box and a bowl or oranges.  She quickly decided that the jewels were “worthless” in this situation, but that the fruit might nourish her on the open sea.  Even more valuable is the soul–of greater worth than all the world’s riches. (Matt 16:26) 

(3) The Titanic reminds us how quickly life can change.  One moment we’re enjoying pleasure.  The next our life hangs in the balance.  Our peaceful lives are disturbed by events out of our control. Survivor Eva Hart remembers the night,”I saw all the horror of its sinking, and I heard, even more dreadful, the cries of drowning people.”  Truly, James was right, our lives are but “a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (Jas. 4:13). 

(4) Man’s boasting is vain.  Columnist Cal Thomas wrote, “The Titanic was a monument to the glory and presumed omnipotence of human ingenuity, which was also destroyed.”  Indeed, “Pride goes before destruction,  And a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov 16:18).  The ship once thought virtually unsinkable, sank! 

However, there was one boat in history that was unsinkable.  It was the boat on which the apostles were sailing when a ferocious storm arose.  The winds were fierce.  The waves were coming into their little craft. They felt like they were going to die.  But, Jesus was on that boat.  Asleep.  But when he was awakened by the frightened fisherman, he calmly stilled the storm with His words, “Peace, be still.” (Mark 4:35-41)

Today, Jesus can navigate our frail vessel across the tempestuous sea of life.  The ships of men can sink.  And they will sink.  But the one unsinkable ship is the one on which Jesus is the Pilot.  Come on board!  Your destination is guaranteed! 

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman