That the Light May Shine

Lighthouses served an important purpose to seafarers. Their effectiveness depended on their head keeper. Lighthouses can teach us important lessons about our lives.

What was it like to be a lighthouse keeper in the 19th century?

Your solitary charge was providing a secure pathway to sailors traversing treacherous coastal waters on a moonless night. Your beacon would sweep the sea, night after night giving guidance and comfort to brave sailors risking their lives to deliver their precious cargo. Hard labor and long hours made up the somewhat thankless tasks of a faithful lighthouse keeper. It was hardly the romantic role that some may have envisioned!

Since electric power had yet to become commonplace in the 19th century, the oil lamp was still the primary means of illumination. This was true of the classic brick lighthouse in St. Augustine, Florida. At the St. Augustine lighthouse, the oil was lugged up the narrow spiral stairway (all 219 steps) every three hours throughout the night to keep the beacon sweeping its arc.

This went on month after month during the sultry nights of Florida summers and in the midst of raging hurricanes where it seemed that the fierce winds would thrash the massive brick tower to pieces.

Step after step, William Russell, the historical landmark’s first head keeper, tirelessly hauled the gallons of oil up to the thirsty beacon so it could continue to cast its faithful beam seaward.

Let your light shine

We are told of a similar mission God expects of His followers: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Does this critical directive remind you of the expectation set forth for William Russell? The credit does not go to the light keeper. He is just the keeper, not the light. The oil was the source of the light that was visible over 20 miles out to sea.

As Christians, Christ living in us is the source of our light, through His Holy Spirit: “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life’” (John 8:12).

God has called us to the vocation of being a Christian—a sort of spiritual lighthouse keeper. We are His servants doing His business in spreading light in a world of darkness. We may not even be aware of the individuals who are being influenced by our example.

Our lamps must be habitually replenished with oil, or the light will go out (2 Corinthians 4:16). We renew the oil of His Spirit by daily contact with God. We hear His voice through reading and studying His Word, and we communicate with Him in prayer. Through these spiritual disciplines, we establish and nurture a close relationship.

Keep the light shining

There is something very interesting regarding our commission to be a light. Being a light is not conditional. In other words, we are not to be lights only if we feel good, if people are nice to us or if we receive recognition.

So what is it like to be a spiritual light keeper? It is just like tending William Russell’s light. Day after day, month after month, in fair weather or a raging gale, the oil is consumed as the light beams into the blackness. If we are consummate spiritual lighthouse keepers, no one will know how well we are doing our jobs—only God.

God knows exactly what we are doing with the ration of oil—His Spirit—He has provided us. We should take time to reflect upon the effort we are expending.

Today is the day to pick up the oil canister and head for the stairway so that the lamp reservoir will be brimming with oil for the long night just ahead of us. This foundering world is sinking and desperate for the light God intensely desires to provide it. It is steering perilously close to the rocks, unaware of the danger. One light gleaming in the darkness can point to the hope and safe harbor of the Kingdom of God that lies just ahead. Let us renew our effort to be the kind of light keeper with whom our Father will be pleased so that the light may shine.

For more insight into letting our light shine, read “Shining Our Light” and “Conformity vs. Letting Your Light Shine.”