23rd Day of Lent

This photograph is of the Cape Jourimain Lighthouse located in the Canadian province of New Brunswick. For over 120 years, the Cape Jourimain Lighthouse guided ships through the narrows of the Northumberland Strait, around rocky shoals, and into safe harbor at Cape Tormentine.

Imagine that you are the captain of a boat, coming to shore under the darkness of night, through dense blankets of fog, or the turbulence of a mighty storm. Think about how the beams of light illuminate and differentiate between the precipitous crags and the passable waters that will lead to safe harbor.

In John’s gospel (Chapter 3:19-21; NIV) Jesus says these words about himself:

“Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

Now put yourself back on the boat sailing into the waters near the lighthouse. Imagine seeing the way to safety being lit by the beams. Imagine the silhouettes of the rocks and boulders that will run your ship aground and destroy it (and perhaps your life and the lives of your crew) if you turn away from the true path that has been shown to lead you to shore.
As you think and reflect upon the photo and these verses about Jesus, are there any situations in your life that the Holy Spirit might be bringing to mind? Are there instances where you are being tempted to ignore the Light pointing the way to right and true path and venture out into dangerous and murky waters? May God’s grace and mercy lead you into the safe harbor of God’s love and wholeness.

Perhaps there are situations in your life where you are trying to discern what the Light is showing you. Perhaps your path hasn’t yet been made clear. If so, may God grant you the grace and wisdom to know the right and true path when you see it. May God grant you the patience and strength to wait in the churning waters until this truth has been revealed.