the purpose of the lighthouse

When You Come Back To Me
Jenny Yates & Garth Brooks

There’s a ship out
On the ocean
At the mercy of the sea
It’s been tossed about lost and broken
Wandering aimlessly 
And God, somehow you know that ship is me
There’s a lighthouse in a harbor shining faithfully
Pouring its light out across the water
For this sinking soul to see 
That someone out there still believes in me.

Following up on yesterdays thoughts, there is Hope for a world spinning out of control. Consider
these words in Romans.

Romans 5:1-5  (New Living Translation)
Faith Brings Joy
 1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
 3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Faith brings joy. Joy is not happiness. Happiness is dependent on circumstances, joy is not. Joy can be experienced even in the middle of tragedy. God wants what is best for us, in spite of the fact that we think we know what that is, we don’t. Faith is knowing God knows what is best and we can “rest” in that. Let go and let God direct your life.

This is a very difficult concept to understand for anyone that does not know Him. The solution, know Him and know peace and joy. The beacon from this lighthouse is not hard to see, it can even cut through the thick fog in our lives. Know the joy of seeing that light.

the pilgrim