Lighthouses and Shipwrecks

Have you ever seen a lighthouse up close? I just love them. I’ve seen lighthouses on the west coast, the east coast, and the gulf coast. I seek them out.

Lighthouses serve as both beacons and warnings. In daylight, they serve as a warning to ship captains so they know where the rocks are and can avoid them as they pass. In rough seas, they  serve as beacons in the night and offer up hope.

The lighthouse keeper is charged with a heavy responsibility. No matter how bad the weather, in sickness or in health, the lighthouse keeper is charged with making sure the lighthouse is working. To do otherwise would spell tragedy and certain shipwreck. Traditionally, the lighthouse keeper is considered trustworthy and reliable.

As a Christian, are you trustworthy?

1 Corinthians 4:1-2 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.

We, as Christians, are the lighthouse keepers of the mysteries of God.  Think about that for a moment. We are charged with the mysteries of GOD. No matter the weather,  no matter the size of the tragedy, no matter the seriousness of the situation – we are charged with the mysteries of God.

We are the keepers of the light of the Lord. Everything we do should reflect that light. That’s both heavy responsibility and a joyous charge.

My grandmother always told me, “Honey, you are either an example of light in this world, or a stern warning to others.”

A lighthouse is both.

Not to contradict my grandmother, but I think we are all a bit of both. We are both examples of how to live, and, at times, we are warnings to others. It’s part of being human.

We’re usually very quick to share testimony that’s positive, but we’re not usually quick to share testimony that is unpopular or highlights our mistakes.  I think both testimonies are equally important. It’s not whether we screw up or not. We all screw up. What matters is whether or not we’re willing to shine a light on our mistakes as well as our triumphs. To me, that’s being responsible enough to hold the light of the Lord.

Do you care enough to shine?

Do you care enough to share your testimony with the world? We need to live our lives as instructed by the Bible, but we don’t always do that. When we mess up, I don’t think we should let shame rule and keep it to ourselves. I think we should share it. I think that’s testimony too. Who knows, your testimony may help someone stay off the rocks you already steered into.

Here’s to letting love rule today, and to shining your light as bright as possible.