Shipwreck

No, she’s not sailing.  This is a satellite capture of the Costa Concordia off Italy’s Tuscany coast. Shipwrecked.

That’s a word our pastor has used over the years describing what some people have done – made shipwreck of their lives. We all know such people – at times we are such people – and we know how easy it is to make shipwreck of lives.

For those of us who have done so, even in small ways, we know the impact on the lives around us can be as destructive as this shipwreck on the lives of passengers.  Yes, deaths can occur through our errors.

I thought of that during Sunday's sermon:

Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. (Philippians 2:2-4 KJV)

We really aren’t islands.  We interact with people each day. Some lives are intertwined with others, inseparable. People do what they like, enjoy some moments and live with the consequences. We all do, but some errors are minor. Some are not.

A young man in Aurora has made shipwreck of his life – and has taken lives as he did so. The consequences of his action impacts dozens of families. His actions cost thousands emotionally, removing a sense of safety. He gave no thought to “the things of others.”

Thankfully, we’ve been given a perfect example to follow.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8 KJV)

Paul, too, was “obedient unto death, even the death of the cross”. But Paul’s obedience did not carry the same consequences. Christ not go to the cross for Himself. It was done for each and every one of us. Some deny that, which doesn’t change how I believe about Him, but does earn a prayer from me for them. I have purposed in my own heart to consider the hearts of others. There are things I do not because of the effect on others.

Most of the time. Other times I head for the shoals, hearing the crash of waves on rocks and I’m grateful for those looking after me, too, ones who see to my things. These are likeminded people who seek to do God’s will and I give Him thanks for them.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13 KJV)