June 18, 2004 

            As my family and I stood last week on the shore of Chincoteague Island off the coast of Virginia, we peered through the darkness watching for the piercingly bright beam of the Assateague Lighthouse to sweep through the night.  As the eye of its light flashed over us, a thrill ran through us as we were struck with the serious responsibility carried by that lighthouse. 

Built originally in 1833, it has signaled dangerous waters for approaching vessels ever since.  So dangerous were the waters in fact, that even the official presidential yacht "Dispatch" ran aground on October 10, 1891 on its way to pick up President Benjamin Harrison and Secretary of War Benjamin Tracy (thus proving that danger and loss are no respecter of persons).  It had run onto hidden shoals when the orange light of the lighthouse was confused for the red light of an offshore “lightship” which signaled safe waters (a very costly mile and a half goof on the part of its captain).

            The original gas-candle lamp was replaced with an electric light in 1933, and, operated by the US Coast Guard, has kept its duties faithfully ever since.

            The Lord has placed His own lighthouses in the world, too.  These are “lamps” through whom His radiance shines, sending light into the darkness of our times, warning us of dangerous waters, and signaling God’s resolve to not simply settle for our sinking on the jagged rocks of confusion, sin, and faithlessness.  He has sent His people into the darkness to be a testimony of His great and awesome love.

            In the daylight, lighthouses are spectacles of grace and beauty.  We are fond of them as tokens of art and enjoy decorating with them (I have several in my office).  Are you aware that no two lighthouses are identical?  In the daylight, the pattern of their colors and stripes permits a sailor to know his exact position along the coast.  At night, each lighthouse flashes its light differently so that, again, a sailor might be able to know exactly where he is as he sails through the darkness.

            Each person who has placed his faith in Jesus Christ and has been made a child of God, is a lighthouse, unique and beautiful as God transforms him by His Holy Spirit.  On the other hand, as beautiful and wonderful as each “lighthouse” is, his or her primary calling is to shine the light of God’s love and truth into the darkness of our world.

            The shoals that abound under the surface of the waters of everyday life are just as real as the physical rocks along the coast of Assateague Island.  They are just as real but even deadlier for the stakes are not a luxury presidential yacht nor even a mere physical life, but an eternity with or without God.

            How does His light shine through you into the darkness of our community and world?  When greed, immorality, deceit and selfish ambition are the norm, how has God’s presence in your life made a difference for others to see?  A lighthouse with no light in the darkness is a useless building… a waste of brick and mortar.

            If your light has gone out, let God rekindle His flame in you so that His love for those around you may be made known.  May the light of His grace and goodness so illuminate your own attitude and behavior that those who are surrounded by the darkness of fear, hate and confusion can avoid the destructive rocks of sin and meet God’s love in Christ Jesus.

The Lord has called us to be "lights in the darkness"... His compassion for the lost and His passion for His glory compel Him to fan within us a flame of holiness and testimony as we live lives surrendered to Him.

“You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hid.  No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

(Thom Mollohan has ministered in southern Ohio for the last nine years and is pastor of Pathway Community Church.   He and his wife are the parents of three children.  If you would like to send a comment or question to him, he may be reached by email at pastorthom@pathwaygallipolis.com).