The Lighthouse
A lighthouse is one of the most important building for any seafarer. Its a structure, usually with a tower, built onshore or on the seabed to serve as an aid to maritime coastal navigation, warning the mariner of hazards, establishing his position, and guiding him to his destination.
Men of sea are often hardy men for they have faced many storms in their life and it is often shown in their weathered faces. Ask any sailors and they will tell you the terrors of the sea and the uncountable time where death was at their faces. Many lived through it and boasted about their bravery and courage, however there were some who turned their back against the sea and decided to be land-bound.
Christian life is a voyage. Wondering where or when did we ever set our foot onto the ship for the voyage? We've set sail with the Captain the moment we received the invitation. The invitation to eternal life. The Captain promised us that we will reach our destination but He never promised that the voyage will be smooth. He never promised that it will be a cruise. The only certainty in this voyage is that the ship can never be shipwrecked.
The sea is always unexpected, good weather and clear skies may be here for now but an hour later clouds of storm billows over threatening to swallow everything that is in it's path. Life is always unexpected, we may be happy and everything seems to be smooth sailing with bright sunshine but the next moment we discover ourselves being tossed in the raging sea of doubt, sea of pain, sea of disappointment, sea of anger, sea of sadness, sea of loneliness and all the seas that could take away the calmness of the voyage. In the midst of the chaos of the storm, we tend to lose trust to the Captain and tend to take control of the ship on our own. With our little knowledge of navigating in the sea, we tries to navigate the ship to the nearest way out of the storm. For each time we try, the deeper we get into the storm perhaps it may not be the same storm but its still a storm (could be a storm with greater magnitude). Some may find their way out of it but they may set their anchor at the nearest port and never set sail to the sea again.
Men of sea are often hardy men for they have faced many storms in their life and it is often shown in their weathered faces. Ask any sailors and they will tell you the terrors of the sea and the uncountable time where death was at their faces. Many lived through it and boasted about their bravery and courage, however there were some who turned their back against the sea and decided to be land-bound.
Christian life is a voyage. Wondering where or when did we ever set our foot onto the ship for the voyage? We've set sail with the Captain the moment we received the invitation. The invitation to eternal life. The Captain promised us that we will reach our destination but He never promised that the voyage will be smooth. He never promised that it will be a cruise. The only certainty in this voyage is that the ship can never be shipwrecked.
The sea is always unexpected, good weather and clear skies may be here for now but an hour later clouds of storm billows over threatening to swallow everything that is in it's path. Life is always unexpected, we may be happy and everything seems to be smooth sailing with bright sunshine but the next moment we discover ourselves being tossed in the raging sea of doubt, sea of pain, sea of disappointment, sea of anger, sea of sadness, sea of loneliness and all the seas that could take away the calmness of the voyage. In the midst of the chaos of the storm, we tend to lose trust to the Captain and tend to take control of the ship on our own. With our little knowledge of navigating in the sea, we tries to navigate the ship to the nearest way out of the storm. For each time we try, the deeper we get into the storm perhaps it may not be the same storm but its still a storm (could be a storm with greater magnitude). Some may find their way out of it but they may set their anchor at the nearest port and never set sail to the sea again.
Can you see the lighthouse? The one that flares its radiant light? Its just right there in front of you. I believe that most of us sees it but we tend to ignore it and when the ship has somehow hit a rock or about to be wrecked. Our heart sinks into fear, forgetting that the Captain is still here.
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." - Psalms 119: 105
The lighthouse. The light for my path. God's manual for the voyage is right there before our eyes. Its within our grasp. The manual that will steer us clear of any dangers, hazards and calamities from the sea.
Be reminded that the Captain is HERE and He is in command of everything. No one knows the sea better than Him. The hands that once calmed the raging storm at the sea of Galilee is here to calm the storm in your life. Perhaps you may not be facing any storms in your life, but let us be reminded that anything can happen in the sea. If we are ever lost in the storm, we should stop relying on our own strength to steer through the raging sea. Turn to the Captain. Turn to Jesus. He's there.
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." - Psalms 119: 105
The lighthouse. The light for my path. God's manual for the voyage is right there before our eyes. Its within our grasp. The manual that will steer us clear of any dangers, hazards and calamities from the sea.
Be reminded that the Captain is HERE and He is in command of everything. No one knows the sea better than Him. The hands that once calmed the raging storm at the sea of Galilee is here to calm the storm in your life. Perhaps you may not be facing any storms in your life, but let us be reminded that anything can happen in the sea. If we are ever lost in the storm, we should stop relying on our own strength to steer through the raging sea. Turn to the Captain. Turn to Jesus. He's there.
Let us boast about who our Captain is and for what He has done for us.
"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" - Galatians 6:14
Let us not be like the sailors that boast about their own courage and bravery but for all that Christ has done for us.
"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" - Galatians 6:14
Let us not be like the sailors that boast about their own courage and bravery but for all that Christ has done for us.
From Duck to Swan.
Signing out at 12.49am - 13th March 2007
