Overconfidence

The first half of the twentieth century was marked by intense competition among rival shipping lines. In 1908, the White Star Line commissioned the Harland and Wolff company in Belfast, Ireland, to build the largest and most luxurious steamship.

On April 10, 1912, the new liner RMS Titanic (the word means enormous in size and strength) left Southampton, England, on its maiden voyage to New York. But four days later, while passing through the North Atlantic Ocean at 11:40 P.M., the ship collided with an iceberg that punched big holes in the starboard side of the ship. In the early morning of April 15, 1912, the Titanic broke in half and sank less than three hours after the accident. Several wireless messages from other ships had warned the Titanic about icebergs along the way, but Captain Edward J. Smith kept the ship steaming full speed ahead, retiring to his room for the night around 9:20 P.M. Considered “unsinkable,” the Titanic carried only twenty lifeboats —intended for rescuing survivors of other sinking ships. Despite some discrepancies regarding the exact number of people on board, about 710 people were rescued, and more than 1,500 perished in the disaster.

Those who saw the 1997 film Titanic have a rough idea of the tragedy. Important lessons can be learned from that disaster.

The fact that the “unsinkable” ship sank should warn us against being overconfident in human achievements, including our own.

David was fully aware of this tendency when he stated, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7, NIV).

Sooner or later, our best endeavors fade and die.

Only the work we do as coworkers with God will last forever.

Captain Smith’s self-sufficient disregard for the warnings from other ships had disastrous consequences. This demonstrates what can happen when we simply choose not to listen to reliable counsel and instructions.

It also illustrates that small decisions can have huge consequences.

Consider the far-reaching effects of Eve’s decision to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. So, Lord, help us today and every day to make the right decisions according to Your will!