John 8:12, New International Version

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”

No matter the seas we cross in life, there is a lighthouse that shines for all to see who shows us the way—His name is Jesus. Jesus said in the scriptures, God’s holy word, “…I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12, NIV)

I was recently introduced to a song, an oldie but goodie, called “The Lighthouse.”  The lyrics go as follows:

There’s a lighthouse on the hillside

That overlooks life’s sea

When I’m tossed, it sends out a light

That I might see

And the light that shines in darkness now

Will safely lead us o’er

If it wasn’t for the lighthouse

My ship would be no more

It seems that everyone about us says,

Tear that old lighthouse down

The big ships just don’t pass this way anymore,

So there’s no use in standin’ round

Then my mind goes back to that one dark, stormy night

When just in time I saw the light

Yes, it was the light from that old lighthouse

That stands up there on the hill

And 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.

As I listen to this song, it resonates within me. I think back on my life and see how far I have come, even since 2015 when I moved back to Ohio, and I thank God for Jesus, my lighthouse. This world tells us that Christianity is obsolete. But I am living proof that Jesus still lives, and He still does miracles. 

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6, NIV) Jesus showed me the truth, and He has given me new life. He has saved me from sin, death, hell, and the grave. He doesn’t just do that for me, but He desires to do that for all that will come to Him. If you are in a dark place, I want to encourage you to look to the lighthouse. Jesus is love, yes. But He isn’t just love. He shows you the way. The Bible tells us and Jesus says, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14, NIV) Being a follower of Christ doesn’t mean that you will have an easy life. Will your life improve? Yes. But your life will have its challenges because you are being refined and made into the beauty of Christ. Not only are we being refined, but we also have an adversary, Satan. He is the father of lies and will go to any length to deceive us and get us to quit following Christ. But to those who are faithful, as it says in Revelation, “‘And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’” (Revelation 21:3-4, NIV)

Look to the lighthouse, Jesus Christ. Follow Him and walk in the light as He is in the light. There is no better place to be than with the Lord Jesus Christ. He makes all things new and makes all things beautiful, in His time.

And 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.