“There’s no greater love than to lay down one’s life for others."
~ John 15:13
On April 14, 1912, the RMS Titanic
sailed swiftly on the frigid North Atlantic heading unwittingly into the pages
of history. Its passenger list included
a Who’s Who of the rich and famous.
Less celebrated passengers included Pastor John Harper and his beloved
6-year-old daughter, Nana.
About 11:40 pm, his and the lives over 3,300 other voyagers shifted
when the unsinkable ship struck an iceberg.
Harper kissed his precious little girl; telling her that she would see
him again someday before placing her safely in a lifeboat.
As the ship headed for its watery grave, he didn’t wait in
line for a lifeboat, nor did he start rioting.
He headed toward the crowd of desperate humanity.
“Women, children and the unsaved to the lifeboats!” he shouted, knowing that believers were prepared to die but the unsaved were not
ready. Harper pled with people to turn
to Christ. With the ship sinking, he asked the Titanic’s 8-member orchestra to play,
"Nearer, my God, to Thee."
As the gargantuan ship started
breaking in half, 1,528 people plunged into the dark, icy, waters below; Pastor
Harper among them. He swam frantically from
person to person leading them to Jesus. One
survivor later testified that Harper gave up his life jacket to a
self-proclaimed atheist saying, "Here then, you need this more than I do."
As hypothermia set in, John
Harper sank beneath the icy waters to and passed into the Lord’s presence; he
was 39; just one of over 1,500 who perished that chaotic night. But the man with Harper’s life vest was saved
– both spiritually and physically after being pulled from the freezing water after
nearly an hour. Later, he professed to
being ‘John Harper’s last convert.’
While other people were trying
to buy their way onto the lifeboats and selfishly trying to save their own
lives, that servant did what he had to - sacrificing his life for others’
salvation. Especially during these times
of disruption and chaos, we Christians have an extraordinary opportunity to shift
our culture’s focus from self-protection to serving others; from crisis to
catalyst.
This experience has and will
change us; we will be different on the other side. But remember that one day we’ll tell our
grandchildren how we lived, how we loved, how we stepped-up during this
outbreak by respecting others in such a way that we won’t be ashamed to tell
them the truth. Be accountable: stop
hoarding, stay home, respect social distances, pray for those safeguarding us,
and help redirect social energy from anxiety and panic to love and preparation.
It’s time for a new paradigm; a
fresh perspective – one based on a new hospitality, deep spiritual healing, and
authentic humility.
Loving God, our refuge and strength, we seek
refuge in Your presence. Protect our public
servants, health care professionals, and every one affected by COVID-19.
Enlighten us with Your Word – let it be a source of hope, healing, comfort
and wisdom. Amen
