Lighthouses are amazing. The intense light illuminating from a lighthouse’s powerful lens can be seen for many miles. When viewed from land, it is easy to take a lighthouse for granted. However, the purpose of a lighthouse is to shed its light where it is darkest. For hundreds of years, lighthouses have cast beams into the seas and oceans to guide those sailing aimlessly in the dark toward safety. Without the guidance of a steady light from shore, thousands of ships would have been tossed by the rough waves crashing them into rocks, destroying the ship and causing all on board to perish. One can only wonder how many sailors through the years thought that all was lost as they traveled the vast, dark, and rough open waters until they saw a lighthouse and then felt a sense of comfort and peace knowing that where there is light, there is hope.
Life is challenging. Regardless of where you are in life’s journey, there are times when you might feel like a sailor on a ship with the force of the waves battering your ship. You look, but the only thing you see is the darkness of the night. Uncertainties of life can cause fear and a sense of despair. What is needed is a guide, a fixture on solid ground, a source of light leading to safety. There is such a light! And this light is brighter than the light all lighthouses combined. This is the light of Jesus Christ. His light shines as bright today for you and all believers as when he first proclaimed, “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). When life is challenging, Jesus offers his light to give hope to all those who seek him.
Light the world. When Jesus spoke to his early disciples, his words were recorded so that future followers understood his directions in order to live their lives according to his teachings. He plainly stated, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5: 14-16). There is an obligation for all believers to be a light for others to see the love of Jesus. Like the light from a lighthouse, Jesus instructs believers to put their light high on a stand so the light can brighten the darkness in our world. Please note that this is not to bring glory to us, but so our good deeds can bring praise to our Heavenly Father. It is his light that brings hope to the world, but it is also the duty of all Christians to share his light.
Lift others up. It is a new year with many opportunities to bring light and hope to others. The source of light for all who will accept it is the light found by accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. He can calm any sea and guide any ship to a safe harbor. Let this be the year that you allow his light to shine through you to lift others up. The message of eternal truth is that where there is light, there is hope.
Sharing light and hope,
LEAP Ministries