From the beginning of time lighthouses have been seen as a symbol of hope…
Something woke me from a deep sleep. What had disturbed my much needed rest? I lay in bed quietly hoping I’d be able to go back to sleep. There it was again, that noise! It was the same noise that had been disrupting my sleep night after night since we had moved to the coast of Maine – the foghorn!
Would I ever adjust to the mournful sound of the foghorn?
Frustrated and unable to sleep, I slipped out of bed and made my way downstairs. Looking through the window, I saw the reason for the foghorn’s constant warning. An eerie fog was slowly rolling in from the harbor, covering the blackness of the night. I shivered as I stood there looking out the window, searching through the fog.
It wasn’t until we moved to the coast of Maine that I realized the importance of the lighthouse.
The lighthouse was a vital part of coastal life. It guided ships safely into the harbor through the fog and darkness. Through violent storms it served as a beacon, warning ships of the dangerous rocks along the coastline. As we focus on the importance of lighthouses to sailors, we seldom think of the significance of the lighthouse to those waiting at home.
The women who waited for the ships to return knew only too well of the dangers at sea. The brightly shining beacon from the lighthouse provided protection and guidance for their loved ones. Day after day, they would wait and watch to see if their men would return home safely. When night came, they would look out across the harbor to make sure the light from the lighthouse was shining brightly.
Meanwhile, sailors would search the dark night for the light that would lead them safely home. The sight of a ship sailing into the harbor brought joy and excitement to waiting friends and loved ones.
A lighthouse has no value if its light doesn’t shine. In days gone by, a lighthouse needed a keeper of the light. The lighthouse keeper lived a life of dedication and isolation. No matter how he felt, mirrors and windows needed to be cleaned and a sufficient supply of wicks and fuel needed to be purchased.
Can you imagine if a lighthouse keeper decided the light might offend someone and only lit the light occasionally?
Would you want a lighthouse keeper that procrastinated? He had to remain true to his job day in and day out.
A lighthouse keeper had many time-consuming responsibilities. There would be days, weeks and months of hard work when no one appreciated his tasks. But when the storms came, people would look for the light to see if the lighthouse keeper was faithfully doing his job.
The lighthouse keeper’s faithfulness made all the difference.
Today, in this world of darkness, we need faithful keepers of the light. The Bible tells us that Jesus said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not
walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). Jesus is the light that shines in and through us. “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid, Neither do men light a candle, and put it tinder 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” (Matthew 5:14-16).
Just as the lighthouse keeper dedicated his life to keep the light shining, so must we dedicate our lives to the Light of the World. We have the privilege of being keepers of the light, all for the glory of God.
MABEL R FLATT
As a Time Out Specialist, Judy sees herself as a lighthouse to those who are willing to take the journey inward. She gently nudges her Clients into that gap between comfort and discomfort, in which they initially flounder and are then drawn to secure land via the bridge of an “aha moment” that lends clarity to the direction they must take.
are you ready for a time out? 