So, I know what I wanna be when I grow up. I wanna be a lighthouse. It’s taken me a long time to come to this conclusion. First, I wanted to be a veterinarian, but me and needles don’t really see eye-to-eye. Then, I wanted to be an FBI agent, but marrying a military man kinda nipped that in the bud. Next, I was gonna wrangle criminals as a probation officer, but I became pregnant and wrestling hardened criminals didn’t sound appealing anymore. I’ve known all along I wanted to be a good mother and wife, but I finally know just who I want Amy to be–a lighthouse.
I’ve always loved lighthouses. If I know that one is in the area that I am visiting, then I seek it out. They draw me to them with their simplistic aura. And that’s exactly what lighthouses should do, draw things to them. They are specifically built to draw ships at sea to their beacon of light. They have one purpose, but it is such an important one–to save lives.
Recently, I visited a lighthouse located at Cape Henry in Virginia. It was the first federal building ever commissioned by the United States Government. Who knew? I climbed all the way to the top and the view was beautiful, as it always is at the top of a lighthouse. After recovering from the 172 stair hike, I started thinking about why I enjoy visiting lighthouses so much. They must mean something to me. Either that, or I just like tall buildings with lots of stairs. I couldn’t quite put my finger on the attraction and so it’s been on my mind for awhile. After lots of thought, I think I finally have my answer.
Lighthouses are excellent symbols of God. They emit a bright beacon of light, searching in the darkness for lost and wandering souls. Doesn’t God do the same thing? So much in the world leaves us in darkness, and yet, God always shines His light to lead us out of our blackest storms. Sometimes, there is so much darkness, so many crashing waves, so much wind and rain that it can be difficult to see the light. But it’s there if you look for it. And all that light wants to do is save you; to keep you from completely crashing and drowning in the darkness. That’s why I love lighthouses. They represent God’s ever-searching, consistent, reliable love.
But, then I realized something–I am called to be a lighthouse, too. Having a relationship with Him opens me up to His light. I wanna glow in the dark. I wanna glow for others to find the way. That’s what we are called to do as Christians: be a light in this world. There is a song called “Glowing in the Dark” by the Christian band, Cloverton. When I hear it, I think of magnificent lighthouses standing tall on rocky shores. I think of Christians lighting up the world, snuffing out darkness. I think of Christians shining so bright, no one could resist the beckoning of the light.
“There’s no stopping when it starts, we’ll be glowing in the dark.”
(Can you see the lighthouse behind me?)
So, I want to be one of God’s lighthouses. I hope to live my life that way.
“So make your move, yeah, make your mark. Go on glowing in the dark.”
To hear “Glowing in the Dark” by Cloverton go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1TDE1j-cdw
