My wife and I took our five kids on a field trip to the lighthouse on St. Simon’s Island along Georgia’s beautiful coastline. The day of the trip started with heavy rains, but it didn’t dampen
the kids’ excitement of exploring a new place.
We learned about the days when lighthouse keepers kept the light burning and the shorelines safe. We explored the rooms of the house where the lighthouse keeper’s family lived. Each member of the family played a key role in the cleaning, maintaining, and functioning of the lighthouse. Children were often educated at home by their parents and helped grow their own food.
To remind the lighthouse keepers of the importance of their work, they wore an official lighthouse keeper uniform while performing their daily duties. The lighthouse keeper and his family worked alone in remote areas, often islands, along the coastline. Their seclusion brought severe bouts of loneliness. Many couldn’t withstand the demands and quit.
“One-hundred twenty-nine steps!” Announced our kids from the top of the winding iron staircase.
The same worn steps were climbed by the lighthouse keeper to refill the oil for the light. His mission was simple—to keep the light burning. Day after day…week after week…month after month…year after year—keep the light burning…no matter what. No matter the weather; no matter the appreciation. It mattered not if anyone saw them serve so long as they could see the light. Without the lighthouse, ships navigating the coast would be in jeopardy of running aground on a sandbar or crashing onto the shore. The lives of people they would probably never meet depended upon their faithfulness.
As we left the lighthouse, this truth stayed with me—lighthouse keepers are still needed today. Christian worker, you are the essential lighthouse keeper, and you matter to God. Your work for the Lord may feel unnecessary and unappreciated at times, but it is not in vain. And you are not alone. Hundreds of other lighthouse keepers have remained faithful. They struggle like you struggle. They grow weary just like you. Their mission is your mission—to keep the light burning.
Keepers of the light served before you and others will come after you. You are part of the fellowship of lighthouse keepers spanning from Creation, to the cross, to the Coming of Christ. Hold fast to fellowship and keep the light of the gospel burning brightly at all costs. It matters not if people see you so long as they can see the Light. People come and go, but the lighthouse must remain. It must not move with the waves of culture. Only eternity will tell how many lives have been delivered from the jagged rocks of sin and Hell because you kept the light shining. If the light ceases, the results are tragic. The day of the Lord’s appearing is approaching! On that glorious day, all faithful lighthouse keepers will celebrate and be rewarded by the One Who entrusted the light to your care. Be encouraged because you’re not alone and your labor is not in vain!
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58)