By: Kay Dills
Recently I had the opportunity to visit eight lighthouses across the eastern shores of North Carolina and Maine: Ocracoke, Cape Hatteras, Bodie, Currituck, Spring Point, Bug Light, Ram Island Ledge and my all-time favorite Portland Headlight. As my eyes focused on the beauty of each lighthouse, my thoughts wondered back to the words of Jesus:
John 8:12
“I am the light of the world.“
We face many storms in our lives, but just as the lighthouse is a reminder to the ships, Jesus is our reminder that God is all-powerful and bigger than any storm we may encounter. He brings peace and comfort to any fear we may have. He is the Master of the sea.
Luke 8:25
“What manner of man is this! For he commandeth even the winds and water and they obey Him.”
When your storm comes (and it will), remember the words of Jesus:
John 6: 20
“It is I, be not afraid.“
It is believed that Henry Wadsworth Longfellow sat on a rock by the Portland Headlight Lighthouse where he was inspired to write his poem “The Lighthouse”.
“Sail on it says sail on ye stately ships!
And with your floating bridge the ocean span.
Be mine to guard this light from all eclipse,
Be yours to bring man nearer to man.”
While in Portland Maine I would walk to Willard Beach every morning and every evening. As I sat and listened to the crashing of the waves, my eyes would automatically focus on the two lighthouses (Spring Point and Portland Headlight) that were very visible, my thoughts would turn to Jesus because He is my lighthouse. After two weeks of seeing eight lighthouses, I thought Jesus lights my way. He is my anchor and he steers my ship.
The first Sunday after I returned our choir special that day was none other than “The Lighthouse”.
“I thank God for the lighthouse, I owe my life to Him.
Jesus is the lighthouse and from the rocks of sin,
He has shown a light around me—
That I might clearly see
If it wasn’t for the lighthouse
Tell me where would this ship be?