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| Photo by Nathan Jennings on Unsplash |
It brings to mind an old story about two battleships maneuvering in severe weather for several days. One evening as night fell on the foggy sea, the captain decided to stay on the bridge to keep an eye on things. The lookout on the wing of the bridge reported a light bearing on the starboard bow. The It’s easy to lose our bearings this time of year. It is said that the weather in March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. The truth is it can be 70 degrees and sunny on the first of the month and windy and snowy on the thirty-first. Spring is never boring in the Show-Me State. It’s even more difficult to keep track of our progress as we make our way through Lent together.
It brings to mind an old story about two battleships maneuvering in severe weather for several days. One evening as night fell on the foggy sea, the captain decided to stay on the bridge to keep an eye on things. The lookout on the wing of the bridge reported a light bearing on the starboard bow. The captain asked if it was steady or moving astern. The lookout replied, “Steady, Captain.” That meant they were on a collision course.
The captain called to the signalman, “Signal that ship to change its course 20 degrees to the north.” Back came this signal: “Change your course 20 degrees to the south.”
The captain, much perturbed, said, “Send: I am a captain. Change your course 20 degrees to the north.” The reply came back, “I am a Seaman, Second Class. Change your course 20 degrees south immediately.” By this time, the captain was furious. He said, “Send: I am a battleship. Change your course 20 degrees north.” Back came the message, “Change your course 20 degrees south. I am a lighthouse.”
God’s Word is the eternal light which shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it (John 1:5.) It shines forth when the waters are calm and when the sea is stormy. The changing styles of fashion and status are like siren songs trying to crash our ships against the rocks. Just as the lighthouse is constant, God’s light in Jesus Christ shows us how far we’ve come and how far we still need to go. It comforts us on the darkest night and leads through dangerous times. I encourage you to continue on the journey of reading through the four gospels during the forty days of Lent. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8, NRSV.)
This light has been with us since the beginning of creation, and this light will see us through this season, this life, and beyond.
In Hope and Confidence,
Pastor Dave
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