ROOM FOR TWO? THE TITANIC'S RAFT CONTROVERSY

December 19,1997 was an impactful year for me. It was the year the movie Titanic came out and, while it is embarrassing for me to admit this, I saw this movie.

(For a farm raised, homeschooled kid, this one was an eye opener. Just sayin)

I was stranded near a movie theater on a rainy, midwestern Saturday afternoon. Titanic was front and center, so for the price of a multi-plex ticket, I stayed there the entire day while waiting on a roommate to arrive and saw this film nearly six times. If you have not seen the movie yet, (Spoiler alert) The ship hits an iceberg and sinks.

(If you watch this movie in reverse, it’s a delightful tale about a ship that jumps out of the water and saves a lot of people.)

I consider myself somewhat of a Titanic movie expert at this point, so let’s revisit that iconic scene from Titanic where Jack, played by the heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio, is forced to freeze to death in the icy waters of the Atlantic because there simply wasn't enough room for him on the makeshift raft. It's a heartbreaking moment that has sparked countless debates and theories among fans. I can still hear the strains in Kate Winslet’s voice as she rasps out, “JACK!!!”

But let's be honest, folks. Was there really not enough room for Jack on that raft? I mean, Kate Winslet's character, Rose, was pretty petite, and the raft itself seemed to be quite large. If I remember right, it was a massive door. It's almost as if she could have scooched over a bit or maybe even sat on top of him. (I mean is it ever really the wrong time for that?)

The whole situation raises some serious questions about the human capacity for selfishness and the lengths we'll go to prioritize our own survival. But let's take a step back and consider a more optimistic perspective.

Perhaps this tragic event can serve as a metaphor for the challenges we face in our own lives. Sometimes, we feel like we're drowning in a sea of problems, and it seems impossible to keep our heads above water. We may be tempted to abandon our values, our relationships, or even our hopes and dreams to survive.

If you are in the middle of an icy and terrifying circumstance and you are unable to see rescue in sight, from one veteran raft clinger to another, I have a few pointers I want to shout over to you above the crashing waves.  

LET GO OF THE RIGHT THINGS.

What happens most of the time is we have room on the raft for what we need most, hope, and forgiveness, compassion, and strength. When we are clinging on for dear life, it’s the fear of further loss that pushes us to justify why we should let go of hope, and forgiveness, compassion, and strength. We dangle these in the icy waters of our circumstances and convince ourselves we only have room for the hurt. To make room for anything else will risk everyone involved in the ship hitting the iceberg will not suffer as much as they should. Those vital parts of our hearts tread water as much as they can, but they become tired after a time.

Holding on to the hurt and pain doesn’t punish the offenders. It punishes us. Feel the hurt, the pain, the wounding, but if you are going to survive, you have to let it go. Those who inflicted the pain will forever be people who left a mark on your soul, but they can never be strong enough to make you allow the goodness in your heart to drown.

If you are going to let go of anything, let go of your expectation of an outcome you desire. Struggling to maintain a desired outcome in the shipwreck doesn’t work.

In moments of my deepest pain, one of the most freeing moments was when I gave myself permission to let go of the outcome I thought should happen. For me, this looked like a verbal confession, “What was done to me was wrong, and as much as I know how I want things to play out, today, I choose to let go of what I want. It’s too big for me to hold. I choose to hold on to you God and let you hold my pain. I let you hold on to the outcome that you choose as best for me.”

SURVIVAL IS NOT ALL ABOUT LETTING GO, IT’S ABOUT CHOOSING WHAT TO HOLD ON TO.

The raft scene in the Titanic incident suggests that there is often more room in our lives than we initially perceive.

Just like there was probably room for Jack on that raft, there is always room in our lives for the things that truly matter. Forgiveness, compassion, love, and hope – these are the life raft companions that can keep us afloat and strong even in the roughest of seas.

While the Titanic tragedy is a somber reminder of the fragility of human life, it also serves as a powerful testament to the human spirit. The film's enduring popularity can be attributed to its ability to evoke strong emotions and inspire contemplation. By reassessing the iconic raft scene and considering the broader implications of the story, we can gain valuable insights into our own lives and the choices we make.

After all, if Rose and Jack could have survived together, then surely, we can all find a way to make room for what truly matters in our lives.

Hold on to hope.

Hold on to love.

Hold on to forgiveness.

Hold on to kindness.

Hold on to God.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

~ Romans 15:13

~ Daniel