The Right Ballast

“In 1979 the tugboat Cahaba was headed down the Tombingbee River in Alabama, USA. The current was flowing fast as the tug’s pilot approached the bridge and released his coal barges. He then put his 1800 horsepower twin engines into reverse to get away, but when the boat moved slightly off line the current swung the boat sideways and slammed it into the bridge. The current was so strong that it forced the boat down under the water. To the astonishment of onlookers it passed under the bridge and popped up, upright, with the engines still going and the pilot at the wheel, on the other side. Why did it come back to the surface in an upright position? Because it was ballasted with a metre thick lining of cement on the bottom of the hull. It is a vivid reminder that life can often go horribly wrong, but if we have the right “ballast” – faith in Christ – then we can get through it and emerge upright on the other side.”*

            As I read this, I was reminded of another harrowing boat story.  This one is recorded in Luke 8:22-25.  Jesus and His disciples get into boat to cross over to the other side of the sea of Galilee.  As some of the men (likely the fishermen among the group) attended to the business of sailing the craft, Jesus took the opportunity to rest and soon fell asleep.  After a while, a dangerous storm blew in and the boat began to take on water.  It's entirely possible that the disciples tried to navigate the waves on their own for a period of time, but their efforts proved to be useless.  In desperation, they shake Jesus awake and beg for His help.  Perhaps rubbing the sleep from His eyes, Jesus rebukes the storm and all become calm.  But there is another rebuke coming -- this time for the weak faith of the disciples.

            The right ballast in a scary situation makes all the difference.  Where is our faith?

God loves you!

Mike

*http://storiesforpreaching.com/category/sermonillustrations/problems/