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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion January 10, 2006 Let your light shine |
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Frontline Devotions for January 10, 2006 by Susan Hill
Reading this passage makes me think of the summers our family spent on the Outer Banks of North Carolina where there are several lighthouses whose histories of providing relief and rescue amid dangerous waters and stormy weather contribute to the area’s allure and mystery. Stories of shipwreck and tragedy intertwine with other stories of heroism and life-saving to tell modern visitors about the meaning of the high beacons of light to a watermen’s existence. The enormous lights shine out into the night skies providing guidance and hope, telling a boatman or woman to navigate carefully and to follow the light’s direction to safer shores.
There are some interesting assumptions hidden in the lore of the lighthouse. One is that life on the sea holds danger close by. We all know that for a fact. Another is that hope and caring extend outward from the source of the light. The ultimate desire of lighthouse builders is to save others who are in trouble. Those who build and keep lighthouses care about other travelers in this world and reach out to them in potentially overwhelming circumstances. Finally, we know that those who follow the beacon to shore will most likely have traveled through the danger that otherwise might have left them stranded and hopeless. When confusion and chaos prevented them from helping themselves, others provided sure and true life-saving assistance intended to show the way home.
Today’s text asks each of us and our church communities to be like lighthouses. Our light is the light of love, God’s love, and as we live out of that love, Matthew tells us our spirits and actions will be like shining, saving beacons to those who see and know us. The next time you pass by your church and look up at the cross on top of its steeple, imagine also a beacon there rotating in all directions guiding and helping others 24/ 7 to find solace when and where life is dangerous. While you’re dreaming, imagine yourself as the lighthouse keeper dedicated to maintaining the light and its brilliance. Matthew says this is our job as Christians, and when we do it, we follow the way of Jesus, a way that cannot be dimmed or hidden by the worst that the world has to offer.
Prayer: Lord of light, make us instruments of your love so that we may share your joy and truth where it is needed. Guide and protect us in our travels over life’s deep and dangerous waters. Be there when we are tossed and confused and bring us to safety. We ask all this in Jesus name, Amen
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
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