Life's Priorities Heading into a Catastrophe! Majestic Mountain View Series, Part 32

The same is true for anything else that takes priority over our Heavenly Father. What would we do if we inherited a fortune or if we earned billions of dollars through hard work? What would become our focus?

The Titanic was a luxurious ship, the most advanced technological marvel of the century. It had 29 boilers, fired by 159 furnaces, fueled by coal, to power the 3 huge propellers. The Titanic was supposed to keep the shop afloat in case of dire emergency. Besides, its wireless radio capabilities could reach up to 1,200 miles!

In those days, homes used gas lamps. The Titanic, however, had electric lights. Besides its technological marvels, it also had every luxury possible: Decorative wood-carved paneling, works of arts all over the boat, massive glass domes and the best furniture ever. It even had a heated swimming pool and a gymnasium with all the latest sports equipment. And let's not forget the darkroom, the Turkish bath, the libraries, and all the different shops and restaurants . . .

There were 3 different classes. The first class was for the rich, the second class, for people looking for fortune in North America, and the third class was for poor immigrants who hoped to find a better lot in the Unitrd States.

Unfortunately, this luxurious cruiser was lacking a fundamental necessity: It didn't have enough lifeboats for the safe transport of all its passengers in case of emergency. The lifeboats onboard could hold 1,178 people; but there were 2, 208 people on board!

Why this mismatch? Who needs lifeboats on an unsinkable ship? These were the norms in those days.

On April 10, 1912, at exactly 11:40 in the evening, this unsinkable ship hit the fatal iceberg and began to do the unthinkable... It began to sink!

The lifeboats were accepting ladies and children first. It didn't matter if you were rich or not. Any woman could enter the lifeboat and men could only enter if there were no women or children in the vicinity. Some people panicked, and many of the boats were dropped into the water only half-full. It was real mayhem. Children lost their mothers, husbands couldn't find their wives . . . Some forced themselves on lifeboats, stealing the places from children. The rich as well as the poor were side by side on these boats. It didn't matter who you were, as long as you were first in line.

The people who couldn't find a seat in the boats began to panic. There were were men of faith on board, however, and instead of thinking of themselves, they started to pray in groups.

One of these, John Harper, said goodbye to his daughter and gave her a kiss before placing her in someone's arms in a lifeboat. He then gave his own life jacket to someone who didn't have one. He realized that saving himself from this disaster was not his top priority. Many would die without knowing our Savior. He was a man of faith, and he was not afraid to die.

In the mayhem, it was easy to lose sight of this man. Several survivors, however, saw him praying with people who were terrified of death, introducing them to the One who mattered the most.

When the boat sank, John swam about in the ice cold waters, continuing to lead the lost to Christ, encouraging them that there was a bright future awaiting them in the arms of our Heavenly Father.

We either think solely of ourselves and cherish the meager fortunes we have in this world, or we trust in our Father who truly loves us more than we can fathom.

"But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children." Psalm 103:17 (NIV) What's your take?

Rob Chaffart

Life's Priorities Heading into a Catastrophe! Majestic Mountain View Series, Part 32

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