Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can’t find a foothold. Psalm 69:2
Photo of the Titanic from Wikimedia Commons
This week marks the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, the largest, most luxurious ocean liner of its time.
On April 14, 1912, during its first voyage from England to New York City and only five days into the trip, the British steamer sideswiped an iceberg around 11:40 p.m.
Two and a half hours later–at 2:20 a.m. on April 15th–the ship that many called “unsinkable” broke apart and sank. The ship carried enough lifeboats for only half of its 2,200 passengers and crew. Approximately 1,500 people lost their lives.
As we recall the disastrous sinking of the Titanic, there are a few spiritual lessons in which we can find God:
One night, Jesus walked on water, and his disciple Peter wanted to join him. Peter left the boat and was doing fine until he looked around at the high waves. Then he became terrified and started to sink (Matthew 14:25-30).
Like Peter, we may be accomplishing great things with God’s help until we look around at our frightening circumstances. Then our faith starts to waver, and we get more than a sinking feeling.
At other times, we may start to look at our successes and ignore the need to safeguard our spiritual growth. We may start to feel unsinkable, like the Titanic. But there are always hidden dangers that can wreck our witness and ministry. The only way to safely navigate life is to keep our eyes on Jesus, not on self or on the circumstances around us. If we find God in the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic and learn this lesson, we can be sure He will help us complete our voyage.
For more information about the Titanic, you can read an article with The Washington Post, about an interview with Robert Ballard, the man who led the expedition that discovered the ship’s wreck., and his obsession with the Titanic.
Also, history buffs and home-schoolers may learn something new from this video on YouTube, with newsreel footage from that time period:
Titanic and Survivors–Genuine 1912 Footage
© Dianne Neal Matthews (www.DianneNealMatthews.com). Dianne is a freelance writer and the author of four daily devotional books. This article is adapted from her book, The One Year on This Day (Tyndale House).
