LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER
Those of you who have followed me on my blogs, know that I love lighthouses. I have a bathroom that is decorated with lighthouses. I have been called the lighthouse lady. I like the symbolism of what they represent. The lighthouse is a strong reminder of God’s light ever vigilant-ever keeping us from danger-ever giving us hope of safety-ever a navigator-ever the symbol of the end of our journey. It also symbolizes that we are to be that light to the world shining brightly for the Lord. The lighthouse was built on solid rock and built to withstand the turbulent storms that swirl around it. Always the bright light warning sailors of the unseen dangers. The keepers of the lighthouse, were very important. They kept that light shining.
Let’s look at five ever present qualities of a lighthouse’s light. But I also want to look at who the keeper of this lighthouse is-you and me and what we are to do to keep that light shining for others to see. Have you ever thought about the keeper of the lighthouse? He or she played an important role.
- Ever vigilant. The functioning lighthouses are always on. It is never turned off. The keeper must keep it lit. The first proper lighthouse before technology is the Hook Lighthouse in Ireland, built in the 1600’s. During this time in history, the keeper had to manually keep the coal fire burning. They later went to huge candles, which the keeper had to keep lit. These keepers of the light had to keep watch 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Always on the lookout for that light to go out. We are told in 2 Peter 5:8 “be sober be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” We have to be always on guard for the wiles of the devil, who is ever present, trying to put out our light. As that keeper, we have to always be vigilant.
- Ever keeping us from danger. The lighthouse is built on strong rock. It is built to resist the turbulent storms that swirl around it. The keeper of the lighthouse must keep the light trimmed and lit. He has to keep the lighthouse functioning. Always repairing-keeping it working to keep sailors away from danger and also the shore from danger of the ships running into it. The keeper must put action into caring for that lighthouse. The lighthouse is a sign of danger ahead. Psalm 18:28-30 reads “For You will light my lamp; The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness, for by You I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect, the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” God keeps us from danger if we are a keeper, to our light, which is to shine forth from us, to shine to others.
- Ever giving us hope of safety. Can you imagine a sailor who has been in some turbulent, dark water for days on end, and the hope that he feels when he sees the lighthouse’s light shining ever turning, ever leading him to safety. God has never promised us that we will not go through “turbulent waters.” In fact, He tells us that we will. Just like a keeper goes inside the lighthouse for his own safety from the storms, we need to depend on the strength, hope and safety that God gives us from our storms in this life. Psalm 119:105 & 130 reads “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” and “The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding for the simple.” We have to keep His word in our hearts so that when we don’t feel safe, we can remember and turn to scripture to renew our hope.
- Ever a navigator. Navigator means: one who determines accurately, ascertaining one’s position and planning and following a route. God’s light is always shining to lead us on our journey of this life. He is ever searching for those who are lost. He is always showing us the way. In the same way, we who are the keepers of the light, should be a help to navigate others on their journey of this life: when they get lost-when they are looking to their own route instead of the only route-when they are needing us to guide them out of this dark world. Ephesians 5:8-10 reads “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness and truth). Finding out what is acceptable to the Lord and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness…” We must navigate each other to help keep us out of the darkness and always in His light.
- Ever the symbol of the end of our journey. When my parents and I came back across the ocean from England in a ship, my mother always said that when she saw land, she knew she had finally come to the end of our journey. She felt joy that she was finally “home.” The light at the top of the lighthouse, shines bright showing sailors that they have finally found land and the end of their journey. We as the keepers of that light, are important. We have to shine for others to see, showing others that there will be an end to their journey on this earth one day. Everyone must die. There will be those who instead of seeing light are only going to see darkness, because of the way they have lived their lives on this earth. It is our responsibility to tell them about Jesus-shining our lights for them. 1 John 1:5-7 reads “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” John 14:1-4 reads “Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house, are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And when I go you know, and the way you know.” God has promised us that if we follow His light, that we will have a “place” at the end of our journey on this earth. We as keepers of that light, must show others to that light.
The keepers of the lighthouse, played an important role in keeping the light always going and functional. We have been entrusted as the keepers of His light, to spread that light for others to see. We have to always be vigilant-watchful-keeping the darkness away from ourselves and others. We have to nurture and put action into keeping that light burning to keep others and ourselves from danger. Our lights can show others that there is hope of safety within that light. We must keep His light shining by navigating others to Him. And our lights need to shine brightly to shine the way home at the end of our journey.
I came across this poem and wanted to share with you.
“The Lighthouse” by Vicki Hansen
Keeping watch across the bay, the lighthouse tower stands.
It shines so bright so other boats will know where there is land.
The light must never go out, it shines for all to see.
It’s a welcoming beacon to the ships that are passing on the sea.
Now, I’m the lighthouse keeper, and it’s Your light that I send.
I make sure your light shines bright, from now till the very end.
We are the keeper of God’s light. We are strong thru the storms of this life, just like the lighthouse. We stand tall for others to see our light shining in the darkness! I love lighthouses and their beauty, strength, promise of safety and showing hope for the end of the journey. I feel truly blessed to have been given the job of a lighthouse keeper. Aren’t you? Shine brightly for Him!
Till next time!
Keela
