Be a lighthouse

Light is a powerful thing. When darkness surrounds you, a little light can help you see your way out. It makes me think of the lighthouse. A light so bright it can guide you safely home.

We just returned from a trip to the coast where I rekindled my love of lighthouses. As we discovered one of the oldest on Oak Island, we managed to walk up on the last tour of the season. Standing there, gazing up at the magnitude of the structure, it reminded me of God. As the lighthouse shines its light in the dark, it brings forth safety and direction. Just like God does.

As I googled the significance of the lighthouse, it reads, “The purpose of a lighthouse is to be a navigational aid and to warn boats of dangerous areas. Essentially to guide and protect. One of the examples that comes to mind is when God leads the Israelites out of Egypt. He went ahead of them as a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night.”

When Moses lead the people out of Egypt, in Exodus 13:21-22 , we get a first hand look at God’s guidance. How comforting this must have been for them.

The verses read,

“By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. ²² Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.”

God never left them, but instead went ahead of them, guiding and giving them light. How awesome is this! And, when we look to Christ as our light, the same is true for us as well.

There is a poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, entitled The Lighthouse, that reflects this same sentiment. Part of it reads, “The rocky ledge runs far into the sea, and at its outer point, some miles away…a pillar of fire by night, of cloud by day.”

God is our lighthouse. 

The semblance of God being our lighthouse in times of turbulence, brings comfort to many. Realizing God really is our light in the darkness, somehow transforms us. As we keep our eyes focused on the One true light, God guides and protects us through all of life’s circumstances.

In John 8:12, Jesus makes it pretty clear by stating, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

In Matthew 5:14-16, Christ instructs us to be that same light, by saying, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

When we accept Jesus as the light of our lives, we can be a lighthouse to others. They look to us and see God working. Our light shows them the way. As God is reflected through us, we become the light of the world.

I thank God for the lighthouses. And I especially thank God that He is my lighthouse. No wonder I am drawn to lighthouses. Light is a powerful thing and when the light of Christ shines within in us, we can be a lighthouse for others.

Don’t miss the song below. Make it your prayer today. If you can’t see it, open this message from your browser.

P.S. – Leave me a comment below because I love hearing from you. Forward this message to a friend and ask them to subscribe to my website. Post on Facebook and tag me in it. If you missed last week’s message, Draw near to God and God will draw near to you, check it out now. Until next time, be a lighthouse to the world. -M