LIGHTHOUSES

For centuries, these majestic sentinels have stood proudly on many shores, warning mariners of the shoals and guiding ships safely home. From the Pillars of Hercules in LaCoruna, Spain, to those built much later, mariners being tossed to and fro have longed to see those distant lights that would guide them safely through. These lighthouses—beautiful, historic, majestic, and nostalgic—have spiritual connotations.

God is light. "This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all" (I John 1:5). "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" (Psalm 27:1).

The Bible is light. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" Psalm 119:105). "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple" (Verse 130). God’s word is a guiding light for the world. It stands in all kinds of weather, withstands agnostics and atheists, and will judge us in the last day. "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away" (Matthew 24:35).

Just as lighthouses guide weary mariners safely past the rocks and shoals, the Bible guides mankind through heartache, death, sickness, tragedy, or financial ruin. It is an ever-present help. If we have not already done so, let us drink deeply from God’s Word. The Psalmist said, "Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord, for he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:1).

Christ is the light. Isaiah recorded, "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee" (Isaiah 60:1). Paul told the Ephesians, "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light" (Ephesians 5:14). Jesus Christ brought light to a sin-sick world. He showed us the way and lighted our path by living a perfect, sinless life.

Christians are lighthouses. "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16).Christ told His disciples, "Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning" (Luke 12:35).

When we become Christians, we become lights in a dark world. Jesus said that we must not hide our light. We are to walk in the light, for "...if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin" (I John 1:7). Christians are keepers of the light, who must shine brightly to guide weary pilgrims on the narrow path home.

The story is told of one who visited a lighthouse and asked the keeper, "Are you not afraid to live here? It is a dreadful place to be constantly." "No," replied the keeper, "I am not afraid; we never think of ourselves here."

"How is that?" he asked. The keeper replied, "We know that we are perfectly safe and think only of having our lamps brightly burning and keeping the reflectors clear so that those in danger may be saved."

Darkness has a foreboding presence, while light brings peace. Are we lighthouses in this dark world?

James Long — Adapted