The Domino Effect

I downloaded the Bible in One Year App from Nicky Gumbel earlier this year and was deeply impressed by the introduction to Day 104’s reading titled, How to Avoid the Titanic Mistake.

 James Cameron, director of the movie Titanic, describes the Titanic as a ‘metaphor’ of life: ‘We are all living on …(the) Titanic.’

 When the Titanic set sail in 1912, it was declared ‘unsinkable’ because it was constructed using new technology. The ship’s hull was divided into sixteen watertight compartments. Up to four of these compartments could be damaged or even flooded, and still, the ship would float.

 Tragically, the Titanic sank on 15 April 1912 at 2.20 am. One thousand five hundred thirteen people lost their lives. At the time, it was thought that five of its watertight compartments had been ruptured in a collision with an iceberg.

 However, on 1 September 1985, when the wreck of the Titanic was found lying upright on the ocean floor, there was no sign of the long gash previously thought to have been ripped in the ship’s hull. What they discovered was that damage to one compartment affected all the rest.

 Many people made the Titanic mistake. They think they can divide their lives into different ‘compartments’ and that what they do in one will not affect the rest. However, as Rick Warren (from whom Nicky took this illustration) says, “A life of integrity is one that is not divided into compartments.’

 Since reading this illustration earlier in the year, I have been deeply impressed by its truth. All elements in life are interrelated. Therefore, each thought, each action, and each word must flow from “an undivided heart’ to quote David’s prayer from Psalm 86:11. We dare not think that worry in one area or lack of faith in another will not quickly spread and affect every other area and aspect of our lives, too. Proverbs 22:8 says, “He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow,” and Galatians 6: 8 says, “He who sows to his flesh will … reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will … reap everlasting life.”

 GRACE CHALLENGE FOR THIS WEEK: Do you separate parts of your life from your faith in Christ? If yes, why? Remember, as Christians, everything we do, think, and say is for God’s glory, honour, and praise.