Ballast Stones
Two ships leave the port. Headed for a distant land. Both ships hope to return loaded with valuable cargo.
One ship rides high and majestic in the water. Her sails are filled with air, she seems to fly along on top of the water. The captain stands at the wheel piloting his vessel with pride. Because of the speed and agility of the ship, he anticipates a quick and successful journey.
The second ship sets low in the water. Her sails are also filled with air but she struggles to force her way through the water. With a firm grip on the wheel, her captain watches as the first ship leaves him and his crew behind.
The first night out there is a fierce storm. Both ships are hit hard by the force of the wind. As the lightning flashes the crashing waves pound against the vessels. The storm is devastating. Only one vessel can survive. The wind and the waves batter the other one. They toss it around on the ocean until it capsizes and is lost.
Why was one ship able to withstand the storm but the other couldn’t? The answer is simple. The surviving ship was weighed with ballast stone and the other vessel was not.
The first ship was lost in the storm because she was light and had no weight to give her stability. The second ship was able to withstand the storm because the captain had filled the cargo hold with ballast stones. The ballast stones caused her to ride low in the water, slowing the ship and making her look cumbersome. However, the ballast stones also gave her stability and the ability to withstand the storm.
The first ship is called Pride, and the second ship is called Humility. The Bible teaches us, A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor. Let humility be the ballast stones of your life. Pride brings destruction. But those who are humble will survive the storm.”
“But he gives greater grace. Therefore he says: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”
James 4:6-10 CSB
https://bible.com/bible/1713/jas.4.6-10.CSB
Douglas & Deborah Huff
From Down Where the Pavement Ends
email-douglas@pavementendsministry.com
Check out my daughter’s website at http://www.kateoliviahuff.com
What a great comparison. I have heard of ballast stones but never thought of why they were used. Thanks!