In the
19th century, ships were often recklessly overloaded, resulting in those ships
going down and the crews being lost at sea. In 1875, to remedy this negligent
practice, British politician Samuel Plimsoll led the charge for legislation to
create a line on the side of a ship to show if it was carrying too much cargo.
That “load line” became known as the Plimsoll Line, and it continues to mark
the hulls of ships today.
Sometimes,
like those ships, our lives can seem overloaded with fears, struggles, and
heartaches. We can even feel that we are in danger of going under. In those
times, however, it is reassuring to remember that we have a remarkable
resource. We have a heavenly Father who stands ready to help us carry that
load. The apostle Peter said, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty
hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him,
for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7). He is capable of handling the cares that
overwhelm us.
Though the testings of life may feel like a burden too heavy to bear, we can have full assurance that our heavenly Father loves us deeply and knows our load limits. Whatever we face, He will help us to bear it.
God may lead us into troubled waters to deepen our trust in Him. (RBC)
