During my mid teens, my mother became fascinated with lighthouses. People began buying her ornaments, and we even had one on the end of the pull cord that operated our bathroom light! Up until this point, I don’t think I’d given them much thought, but all that changed when we visited Portland Bill in Dorset, and my parents and I stood on a darkened night, watching the beacon lighting up the sky while the waves crashed around us.
More recently, my husband and I visited the lighthouse again, and took a tour, climbing its 153 steps up to the top, where we saw the light itself. It was amazing, and for me, a strangely spiritual experience.
I spent a lot of time thinking about Jesus, and how a lighthouse points us to him. Of course, the first scripture that comes to mind is where he told his disciples: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8: 12.) The light from Portland Bill can be seen miles away out at sea, and it literally cuts through the dark sky, punching holes in the blackness. Yet, it is limited, and can only reach so far. In contrast, the Light Of The World has no limits. He has enough light to illuminate the lives of all those who call upon him as their lord and Saviour.
Imagine being tossed to and fro on a boat out at sea, with very little idea how to reach land. For me, that’s a picture of a life without Jesus. The wind howls, the waves roar, and the vessel begins to take in water. The sailors fear for their lives, and wonder if they will ever reach dry ground. Then, suddenly, they glimpse a light. Land is getting nearer, but there may also be dangerous rocks to navigate before they get there. Using the light as a guide, they are able to ensure they bring the boat in at just the right place, and the sense of relief and rejoicing is palpable. This reminds me of 2Samuel 22: 29, which says: “You are my lamp, oh Lord. The Lord turns my darkness into light.”
I have many friends and family members who don’t know Jesus. I imagine you do too. It breaks our hearts as we see them being battered by life’s storms. Of course, those of us who have met with Jesus have to navigate storms too. Life doesn’t become a bed of roses for the Christian, but now we have Jesus in the boat, and what a difference he makes! We encourage our loved ones to invite him into their boats, but they refuse, making all manner of excuses. All the while, Jesus is shining his beacon of hope, longing for them to allow him to guide them to safety. Sometimes, as we pray, we see them drawing nearer to his light. However, there are still rocks and pitfalls to navigate, and the enemy of their souls will do everything he can to prevent them reaching the shore of Jesus love and salvation. There is a fierce battle raging, but through it all, Jesus beckons, piercing the night sky.
There is no greater joy than that we experience when a prayer is answered, and a loved one bows the knee to Jesus. And the rejoicing isn’t just limited to here on earth, for the Bible says even the angels celebrate! (Luke 15: 10.) In contrast, it breaks our hearts, and breaks Jesus’ heart even more, when lives are lost needlessly, because people he loves and died for refuse to heed the beckoning light.
As I listen to the daily news reports, I get the sense that the world in which we live is getting darker, and more dangerous. However, the darker the sky, the more easily the light from the lighthouse can be seen. WE shouldn’t be discouraged by the darkness, but see it as a greater opportunity to witness, so our Saviour can shine through. Sometimes, we have to be brought to our knees before we cry out to him.
A lighthouse is made to weather the storms, because they are always built in bleak windy places. They remain solid and firm, and when you stand in the centre of one, you get an incredible feeling of safety, knowing the stone walls are several metres thick. Likewise, the Christian is secure in Jesus. Whatever touches our lives must first pass through him, and although we may feel the intensity of the battles, as though we are being swept away by a flood or consumed by a fire, he will not allow them to overwhelm us. (Isaiah 43: 2.)
For me, 2019 has been a very intense year. I have faced trials of many kinds, but through it all, Jesus has been faithful and true. He has been my strong tower – the light that has stopped me running aground and floundering on the rocks of fear and suffering. The darker things have become, the brighter he shines, and he has even revealed treasures in the darkness. (Isaiah 45: 3.) Psalm 27 opens with the words: “The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?”
If you are floundering right now, remember that Jesus is your lighthouse. He is beckoning you toward him, and encouraging you to make him your security. Everything else in this world is temporal, and even those we love most will occasionally let us down, but Jesus never will.