The Lighthouse

Every time I go on a trip, I rely heavily on my GPS and if it is just a little bit slow or takes me down the wrong path I get frustrated. I will also sometimes miss my exit because I am talking to someone or I get really into a podcast I’m listening to and it has to re-route me to get me back on the right track. I am great at driving, but I just struggle with my sense of direction. That is why a GPS comes in clutch for me.

In the same way a GPS guides me in the right direction when I’m driving, a lighthouse guides incoming ships to protect them from crashing into the shore. Lighthouses are designed to have an internal function for generating light and projecting it outwards into the darkness. Most modern lighthouses also have an external reflector to further reflect light to travel long distances. Their light can be seen on average from about 20-30 miles away.

In the book of Exodus, the children of Israel had just been set free from captivity in Egypt. As they were traveling, God led them in a unique way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. The Bible says, “the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.” (Exodus 13:21-22)

The “pillars of fire and cloud” are an example of theophany which means a visible manifestation to humankind of God in physical form. God lit up their path, provided protection from their enemies, and gave them reassurance that they were headed in the right direction. The pillars represented God’s presence, protection, and guidance for His people, much like a lighthouse does for incoming ships.

Fast forward about 1600 years later, Jesus, the physical manifestation of God in human form, spoke to a group of people in the temple. He said, “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) As he was saying this, Jesus was standing in the temple right next to the place where candles burned to symbolize the pillar of fire that led the Israelites through the wilderness.

Jesus came as the light of the world who defeated the darkness forever. He was crucified, resurrected, and he now lives on the inside of us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Now, just like a lighthouse, we as Christ-followers are called to internally reflect His light to the people around us. It’s our job to show people how a relationship with Jesus changes lives not just with our words, but our actions as well. Through our generosity, humility, grace, forgiveness, and love, we are able to reflect the light and pierce the darkness.

The Bigger Picture: Much like how a lighthouse generates and reflects light to provide direction for incoming ships, we are called to shine God’s light to all those that are around us.