Humble Strength

HUMBLE STRENGTH

A new devotional considering the quiet and humble strength of a lighthouse and that of a man who also brought light into our congregation. 

Lighthouses blow no horns; they only shine.” ― D. L. Moody

THOUGHT: 

Recently, our church lost a man who exemplified quiet and humble strength. He was, to many, a solid and unassuming pillar. He had many wonderful qualities such as being a storyteller with the perfect anecdote for each situation. His sense of humor was quirky and unexpected yet comforting in its’ playful innocence. He was a man of God who had his shares of troubled times but was able to clearly see past them to a life full of hope and possibilities. He possessed a power behind his gentle demeanor that reached out to people’s hearts in a way that no one else could. He was solid, unassuming, bright, and much like a lighthouse to those who were blessed enough to know him.

At first glance, a lighthouse seems overpowering, blatant, and piercing. Its’ light shoves its’ way into the darkness, not stopping for anything or anyone. The rocks upon which it stands seem to give in to its’ demands and remain solid in its struggle with the waves in order to uphold its “Master,” the lighthouse. If it were a person, it may even be seen as obnoxious.

In reality though, the lighthouse is just the opposite. It may portray that façade at first glance, yet its’ ulterior motives and inner strength is so much more and so vastly different to our initial preconception.

As Christians, we can take a few lessons from the humble lighthouse. First, let us ponder the scripture:

 The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? —Psalm 27:1—

 Gods’ Word’ often refers to the concept of light as our means of salvation. It is when we are turning away from God, that we are thrust into darkness. When we sin, we deliberately thrust ourselves into a dark place. Initially, it is an enticing possibility for our selfish desires, yet it quickly turns into a place of guilt, shame, and regret. It is not until we are blessed enough to experience the gentle nudge of a Christian friend, that we realize that we can receive help and support from someone who exemplifies the illumination of light into our lives. That friend can pull us out of the darkness with the love of Jesus Christ.

It is not only sin though. Sadness, depression, loss of faith, loneliness, and a multitude of other feelings can duplicate the doom that sin can place on our spirits. Satan is waiting patiently, but with fervor, to pounce upon someone’s mind when a transient feeling of sadness or otherwise comes upon them. He abhors joy and is awaiting even a fleeting glance of depression in order to envelope that soul with his vile, suffocating breath.

When light and lightness of spirit is introduced from our God, through a friend, one of our “lighthouse” friends, it is not the imposing rock and vivid light that we see. Instead, we are comfortably “bathed” in its’ light. We calmly receive its gentle and warming light, allowing it to fill our senses – we see it, we feel it, we can almost hear and touch it if we allow our senses to freely imagine its power. The light is not piercing the darkness but nudging it away as the light travels freely over the waters, barely teasing the tips of the waves. The light is not one beam focused on one spot, but instead is an encompassing light that spreads its particles far and wide, in an attempt to gather in all who are in need. The lighthouse itself is not protruding from the rocks as a fortress but instead sets upon the rock, confident in its’ inner strength and fortitude.

Our friend was like a lighthouse. He was a strong yet gentle friend. He knew who He was and more importantly, “Whose” he was. He shed the light of humor and lightheartedness against the crashing waves of our troubles. He had a joke or story for every situation. He counseled people with love and understanding, never criticizing or judging. Like the lighthouse, he gave his light freely. His impish grin and his twinkling eyes were a beam of light when someone needed it most in the middle of a dark crisis. Just like a lighthouse has no idea who will benefit from their light, I suspect he humbly did not realize how many people he helped when they were in pain. He was strong for his family and friends, as the rock of the lighthouse would be.

Being a lighthouse to others is often never recognized for its true worth. Yet so many benefit from it. The light, the warmth, and the comfort of a lighthouse is often a symbol of Jesus Christ. He is the “Light of the World,” true. We are thankful for Him and His Sacrifice. Yet, I would introduce to you that some “people” are lighthouses as well. They may not be Jesus, but they portray a life of the characteristics of Jesus. Even when they are gone from this earth, their light is still seen and felt for all those that have come close to the shores of their spirit.

PRAYER: 

Thank you God for your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you also for the life of David Coldiron. May he and others like him, shine on, humbly reaching out to others with the fond memories of their lives and Christian journey. Help us to be lighthouses to other whenever we can. AMEN.

WE HOPE HUMBLE STRENGTH PROVIDED LIGHT FOR YOUR FEET.

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