Utterly Safe—Or Not

Maybe it's the chemistry between Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslett.  Maybe it's the artifacts and surrealistic images brought to the surface by Robert Ballard.  For whatever reason, the world is mesmerized by Titanic.  Still.

Every school child knows the story of the unsinkable ship that sank, drowning more than 1500.  But relatively few can name the port from which the Titanic last departed.  (Hint: if you're thinking somewhere in England, you're off course).

On the southern coast of Ireland is a charming town by the name of Cobh, offering lovely views of the waterways leading out to the Celtic Sea.  Here, Titanic last saw land.   As we sat out on a deck, enjoying lunch with the sound of the waves rolling in, the gulls flying 'round—the same sounds that passengers boarding Titanic would have heard (and we stood at the very place they would have climbed onboard)--the sunshine gave way to grayer skies.  Rain moved in with such speed and intensity we were forced to take our food inside to finish the meal.

Which takes me to the fate of the Titanic passengers.  Consider that as they shuffled across the gangway boarding the brand new ship, not one of them thought it was their last look at Ireland.  No one thought they would never again see their loved ones.  No one thought they were within hours of the very end of their earthly lives.  But they were.

The scene was all so normal....so utterly safe.

It could be you feel very safe right now.  Very “normal.”  Not the least bit pressed to give the invitation of Jesus to be “born again” any real consideration.

Yet no one lives forever.  And accidents still happen, And Titanics still sink.    Jesus said “Unless a man (or woman) is born again they cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Have you settled—forever—the question of where you will go—after you die?