If you had the opportunity to save someone’s life, simply by getting wet and little uncomfortable, would you?

I had the opportunity to share the story of the Titanic and its lifeboats, as part of our School’s dedication service at the Para Vista Adventist Church this past weekend.

In 1912, the infamous Titanic set off on its maiden voyage carrying 2208 people on board. In order to ensure that its first-class passengers would have an unobstructed view from their balconies, many of the lifeboats were left behind.

In the early hours of the morning on the 15th of April, the Titanic struck an iceberg and started to sink. The life boats were launched, however many of them were only half filled with passengers. As the Titanic went under, people were left clinging to debris in the icy, cold water. Lifeboat number one had the capacity to carry 40 individuals, however, launched with just 12 people and proceeded to paddle away from the wreckage. It was later labelled ‘the money boat’ because it was alleged that one of the rich passengers bribed some of the lower-class passengers in the boat, not to paddle back and pick up survivors who were floating in the freezing water. Many of the people in these half empty lifeboats only thought about themselves. If they didn’t go back and pull others into the lifeboats, they could remain dry, clean, comfortable and safe, until rescue came.

It is sad to think that history could have been changed if people were simply willing to paddle back, reach out, get wet and hold on to those who literally just needed a hand. On that day, 1503 people died with only 705 surviving the disaster.

While we may never have to rescue people in a Titanic like situation, we do have the opportunity to reach out to those around us in need. Are you willing to get ‘wet and dirty’ in order to help someone? God is calling you to step out of your comfort zone… to do the unusual thing… to do the counter-cultural thing… to make His kingdom great!