Last month Christy and I had a wonderful vacation in Newport, Rhode Island. Christy loves lighthouses, so we went to see many along the coast in Newport and Cape Cod. The one pictured was one of our favorites, Castle Hill Lighthouse in Newport. Christy is standing next to it on the left.
Castle Hill Lighthouse was built to guide vessels, especially in thick and foggy weather, into Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay. To get to this lighthouse we had to walk through the woods on a trail covered with mud, snow, and ice. The walk was peaceful, but when we reached our goal we encountered a fierce icy cold wind.
I imagine seeing the light shining in the darkness and fog as a welcome sight. Across the bay, Beavertail Lighthouse in Jamestown, was the other guide. Together they kept ships on a safe passage.
As we celebrate Easter, it is important we remember Jesus as our lighthouse. He shines through the fog and darkness of this world, and nothing, not even death could stop him or put his light out. He points the way to a safe passage in our relationships with God and one another.
We have a choice to look for the light, and use the light as our guide. If we choose to ignore the light it is at our own peril. We are apt to crash into the rocks and sink into the depths of despair.
The message of Easter is that God’s light of love will always prevail. Even in the roughest storms, we can see the light and heed its message. We can depend on God.
A bigger question is can God depend on us. Jesus also invited us to be lighthouses of God’s love to the world. We are called to shine our light for the world to see and be drawn to safe harbor.
Easter is a good time to re-evaluate our attention to God’s light of love in Christ, and to reaffirm our commitment to being a light for others. As for me and my household, “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine. Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!”
Let it shine, and I will see you in church. Remember, God loves us more than we can ever imagine, and I love you too!
Tom
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