The Lighthouse is You

Sometimes we experience unexpected joys that turn our days and perspectives and outlooks inside out.

I had one of those experiences last week and I want to share it with you.

After three long days in the hospital with a loved one whose battles are heartbreaking, I woke up on the fourth day and just couldn’t go back up there. Not that morning, anyway. For some crazy reason I kept thinking about lighthouses… and being out of town by the water I wondered if there was a lighthouse nearby. I also wondered why I wondered that, but the thought wouldn’t go away. Following up on the thought that seemed to be chasing me, I checked and found a historic lighthouse was only 30 minutes from my hotel.

So I went.

I am not sure what I was expecting, but on the drive out there I started thinking about how lighthouses are kind of a representation of people. After all, Jesus Himself said we are the light of the world! Somehow the likeness of lighthouses to people had something to do with whatever was drawing me there.

It was a heavenly kind of day. The kind where the sun is warm on your face, but the breeze is cool, and you are thankful just to be alive. As I stood by the water, looking up at the lighthouse I closed my eyes, face toward the sun, and soaked in the beauty I could feel all around me.

After a while, I am not sure how long, I went inside. There were historic facts and pictures all around and as I started to read one of the displays, a lady walked in and began talking to me. One of the things she said really stood out to me. Lighthouses are all different heights and shapes, and their beams have all different strengths of light. I asked why, and she said…

They are designed and built according to the purpose they are meant to fulfill.

For example, on the ocean they need to stand tall and have a strong beam that reaches the horizon so ships can find their way in the black dark of night. But on the river, they are built shorter, and the beam is much dimmer because a brighter light would hinder navigation by blinding the riverboat pilots. Both serve their purpose, and both are important.

And then it all made sense. Why I felt drawn to see a lighthouse. Why the remembrance that Jesus called us the light of the world. Why the likeness of lighthouses to people had captured me. It made sense because I was feeling down and dark and kind of dead to my emotions when I had awakened that morning. But the beauty of this lighthouse reminded me…

We are designed and built according to the purpose we are meant to fulfill.

Just like the lighthouse.

Your unique design is for a purpose. Whether your beam reaches the horizon on the ocean or guides the smaller vessels on the river, it is there for a purpose that is meant to be fulfilled.

Being reminded of that filled me up. I was able to go back to the hospital and do what I was meant to do… shine my light.

One day our light will dim and our purpose will have been served. But until then, let’s be who we were designed to be and live the purpose we were meant to fulfill.

Shine on my friend!

Brenda is a believer in impossible possibilities. In brokenness becoming beautiful. In justice and mercy and honor and power – with love perfecting them all. She is a wife, mom, mimi, daughter, and friend who also enjoys speaking, writing, and coaching.