Jesus our Lighthouse

by Annie Yorty ©2022

I bet you didn’t know August seventh is National Lighthouse Day. In 1989, Congress approved an act for the support of lighthouses, recognizing and preserving the proud history of these structures as beacons of safety for travelers on waterways throughout our country. I thought this would be a great opportunity to talk about Jesus, our lighthouse.

Lighthouse Tour

Several years ago, Jeff and I enjoyed a wonderful and rare vacation alone together. Thanks to ♥Aunt Cheri, who took charge of Alyssa, we road-tripped around Oregon, driving south through the eastern deserts and circling back to the north along the Pacific coast. Along the way north, we visited many of the historic lighthouses dotting the shoreline.

Cape Meares Lighthouse in Tillamook was my favorite. Built atop a 217-foot cliff in 1890, it stands at just thirty-eight feet tall. (As a height-challenged individual, I’m sympathetic to this light, the shortest on the coast of Oregon. 😊) Like all lighthouses, Cape Meares sends its rhythmic signal across the water, seen by mariners for up to twenty-one nautical miles. The light guides ships navigating treacherous waters near the shore into a safe harbor.

Our Spiritual Lighthouse

Lighthouses provide an earthly example of a spiritual principle. People often compare Jesus, the Light of the World, to a lighthouse. We live in a dark world filled with troubles (John 16:33). Jesus’ light beams through the oppression to guide us into the safety of God’s presence.

To celebrate National Lighthouse Day, let’s consider some of the characteristics of these beacons and honor Jesus, our lighthouse.

Flashing

I learned on my trip to Oregon that each lighthouse has a signature light pattern. Sailors memorize the rhythm of each signal. The string of lighthouses along the coast serves as a map to let the sailors know their location. They carefully watch the patterns to navigate from one light to the next until they reach their destination.

In the same way, we must fix our eyes on Jesus’ pattern and follow His directions.

Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 1:13 NLT).

We must fix our eyes on Jesus’ pattern and follow His directions. Click To Tweet

Firm

Men constructed lighthouses at the most dangerous parts of the coastline. They found points of solid rock and sank anchors deep to support the height and weight of the tall columns. Pounded by waves and buffeted by fierce gales, these structures remain firm. Many lighthouses endure after hundreds of years of service.

As a man living on earth, Jesus stood firm, unwavering in the face of oppression and death on a cross. As our resurrected Savior, He provides an unmoving, everlasting foundation in every circumstance.

Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken” (Isaiah 28:16 NLT).

Faithful

Even with modern navigational aids, ship’s captains continue to depend on lighthouses today. That’s because the lights shine, day and night, without fail. In years past, lightkeepers personally supplied the lights with fuel and maintained them so no boat would run ashore. They knew the lives of sailors depended on their faithfulness. These days, though, almost all lights are unmanned, run by machine.

The book of Revelation says that when Jesus returns to earth again, He Himself will replace the sun as the illumination for the world (Revelation 21:23). As integral parts of His nature, power and light exude from Jesus, never fading throughout eternity.

This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is (2 Timothy 2:11-13 NLT).

You can always trust Jesus because He cannot be anything other than Light.

Perceive the Light of Jesus

Are you navigating murky, churning waters in your life right now? Maybe the gathering darkness disorients your emotions and thinking. What storm pushes you toward danger even as you long for safe passage?

In Jesus, our lighthouse, we find all we need.

Jesus’ peace reigns over anxiety and fear.

Jesus’ healing soothes wounds and grief.

Jesus’ truth dispels lies.

Jesus’ forgiveness cleanses the guilt and condemnation of sin.

Jesus’ wisdom guides our hearts to love in family dysfunction.

Jesus’ grace pierces the bitterness of unforgiveness.

Jesus’ hope slices through despair.

Follow Jesus, our lighthouse into the safe harbor of God’s presence. Click To Tweet