LIGHTHOUSES

One of the things that we did on vacation was visit as many lighthouses as we could, or at least photograph them. Some were only accessible by boat ride and we did not have time to do that. A simple definition of a lighthouse is: “a tower with a light to guide ships and warn of obstructions.” They seem to come in all shapes and sizes. One that we photographed was only 20 feet tall. It was the only one left out of the eight original that guided ships along the Cape Fear River, near Wilmington North Carolina. Lighthouses can be found all along the eastern coast. Wherever they are found, they all served the purpose of guiding ships and warning of obstructions.

Several thoughts come to mind when we make a spiritual application. The wonderful words recorded in Psalm 119:105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” God’s word is serving the same purpose as that lighthouse does; it helps to guide us in the right way and warn us of obstructions that will hinder our journey. This word guides us by instruction. God’s word has a greater purpose than the lighthouse, because we are dealing with souls and eternity. There is the statement made in Matthew 5:14-16. “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an 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.” A lighthouse is of no value if the light is not shining. The same thing applies to us today. If we are not letting our lights shine, we are not accomplishing what God wants us to do. Then you have the marvelous words found in John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (See also John 1:9; 3:19). Jesus is the true light of the world. We are the reflectors of his light. Those lighthouses produced light by a lamp that was burning and many pieces of glass that were set at certain angles to reflect that light. We have to make sure we are reflecting the light of Christ to the world around us.