4 Things I Learned From a Man Who Survived 438 Days at Sea
I just finished the book 438 Days: An Extraordinary True Story of Survival at Sea by Jonathan Franklin. It is the true story of Salvador Alvarenga, a deep sea fisherman of sharks (among other things) and his journey of surviving 438 days at sea in his small boat after a heavy storm pulled him out to sea.Here are four things I took away from his incredible story.
1) Everyone can do things they think they can't
There is no doubt that Alvarenga actually thought he could not survive in a small boat in the middle of the ocean for over a year if you were to ask him before it happened. Nobody thinks they could do that, and to our knowledge, he is the only person in recorded history who has actually done it.All that to say, all of us, with some determination and courage can do things we don't think we can. That doesn't mean we can do anything we may want or desire to do, but we can do some things we are too intimidated try, and for any number of reasons, aren't doing.
2) There is a reason God calls us to take a step at a time instead of revealing the whole plan to us at the beginning
We have all been there. Begging God to let us know how any of number of things will turn out before it happens. Will she say yes to going on a date with me? If I take this job will I regret it in three years? If I am generous with this money will you still provide for me?A big one for me was planting New City Church. I had countless conversations with God were I essentially said, "I am willing to do whatever it takes no matter how difficult or painful it is if you will just let me know it will all work out in the end."But here's the thing, the journey is often unexpected and surprising at any number of points. And if we knew how it was going to play out before it happened, I believe we would often choose not to do it.
3) It's funny how we can still be mad at God when he answers our prayers
Alveringa wasn't a religious man at all (his words) before he was lost at sea, but like anyone would do when you are desperate and trying to survive, he began to pray. No surprise here, but his biggest prayer was that he would somehow find land. After he miraculously found land on day 438, he became angry with God and in some ways was upset that God actually answered his prayer!To be fair, he was physically close to death by that point, and the trauma of what he endured is psychologically devastating, but here is how we can relate: God answers a prayer, sometimes something we have been praying for years, and what happens? Immediately we wish he had answered it in a different way, or quickly forget about it and move on to the next thing we want. We can be so quick to be ungrateful. It's amazing how patient God continues to be toward us!
4) God can use even the worst situations to bring hope to others
Why does God allow pain and suffering? It's a question none of us will fully be able to answer or even understand this side of heaven. But in his goodness, he doesn't waste our pain. Our stories can bring hope and even healing to others. Many of you know my story of losing my dad to suicide, so I know firsthand the truth of this.Jonathan Franklin, the author of the book, concluded his afterword with a direct quote from Alvarenga himself, in which he said,"I suffered so much and for so long. Maybe if people read this they will realize that if I can make it, they can make it. Many people suffer only because of what happens in their head; I was also physically being tortured. I had no food. No water. If I can make it so can you..."Perhaps you and I couldn't survive on a boat in the middle of the ocean all by yourself for 438 days. But whatever you may be going through there is hope. And because of Jesus, not only is there hope, but there is also a future that he offers to everyone through his grace.