"The Lighthouse"

The Lighthouse

"The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." ~John 1:5.

"There's a Lighthouse on the hillside that overlooks life's sea.  When I'm tossed about it sends out a light that I might see.  And the light that shines in darkness now will safely lead us o'er.  If it wasn't for the Lighthouse my ship would be sail no more.  And I thank God for the Lighthouse, I owe my life to Him. Jesus is the Lighthouse..." I'm sure most of you have never heard the old song "The Lighthouse". Ronnie Hinson wrote the song when I was a young teen and it quickly became a very popular southern gospel hit. And yes, that was a long time ago but the words still resonate so strongly in my heart today!

"The Lighthouse" was one of those powerful songs that usually brought tears to my eyes. As I thought about those lyrics this morning my mind drifted back to my teen years. Prior to hearing that song, I don't think I had ever given any thought to a "lighthouse". I had visited the one on the Coast but it was just a historical landmark. I had no idea of the importance of a real "lighthouse".

You see, "bank in the day" ships didn't have a GPS system, they relied on the stars for their directions. However, when storms would blow in, clouds would cover the stars. When that happened, which it often did, they had nothing to guide them-- thus the Iighthouse.

Lighthouses were always built on the highest point near the shoreline. The Keeper(s) of the lighthouse worked around the clock to maintain and insure that the light never went out or grew dim. That beacon of light is what guided and allowed the sailors and fisherman to make it back to shore. Without it they would have continued to drift and possibly been lost at sea. The Lighthouse was their hope and their lifeline!

As the years have passed I see how often Jesus has been my Lighthouse. There were many times that I allowed myself to drift way too far out in the deep waters of life where the storms were raging. Some of those storms could have caused me to be lost but thank God for The Lighthouse! Yes, His light was and still is shining brightly in the distance to guide me safely home. "Then my mind goes back to that stormy night when just in time I saw the light. Yes, it was the light from that old Lighthouse that stands up there on the hill." We all face storms in our life. Your storms may be different from the storms I am  facing today but Jesus is still our Lighthouse! He is the Beacon that can help us find our way in a world of loneliness, depression, financial needs, addiction, sickness, relationship issues, etc. Whatever our need is, He is the Light that gives us hope and leads us safely Home!

So today, if you feel as though you have no where to turn, look for The Lighthouse. His Light is shining brightly waiting to lead you to safety, peace, and rest. Jesus is that Lighthouse and His light never goes out or grows dim! He has the answer to whatever storm is raging in your life today and He will lead you safely to the shore! "Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the Light of life'.” ~John 8:12
"...and I thank God for the Lighthouse, yes I owe my life to Him."