The Lighthouse of Grace
By Family Minister, Dr. Brandon Steenbock
John 8:12: When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
It’s an eerie and disturbing thing to walk in the dark when you don’t know what might be hiding there. I’m writing this while staying in Mexico at our mission. This town has a paved walkway along the beach called the Malecón.
We were walking it as the sun went down, and as the sky grew dark, we came to an area where the lights were malfunctioning. The trees blocked all the moonlight. It felt more than just dark. We are foreigners here, unfamiliar with the dangers of this place, and walking through deep darkness.
Up ahead, we could see the lighthouse, the landmark of the town. The spinning beam of light warns ships of danger, but at that moment, it felt like a signal to us: a welcoming call to come out of the darkness and into light and safety.
Our world can feel a little like that dark patch on the Malecón. Eerie. Dangerous. Uncertain and filled with hidden threats. We feel like foreigners walking in a place where we don’t always understand the risks. All around us are signs of this darkness—wars, disasters, and starvation; cruel people committing acts of violence; sudden accidents and tragic deaths; the constant pressure of temptation and sin. It’s easy to feel lost.
But Jesus is our light. He is our landmark, our guide, our safe haven, and protector. No matter how deep the darkness, Jesus leads us through it and out of it and into the light. We are safe when we look to him and follow him.
The mission building was designed to reflect the landmark of the town. At its top, where most churches would have a steeple, there is a miniature lighthouse. And just like the one at port, this one is lit at night. As we returned to the mission, to the safety of the sanctuary, I looked up at that light. Jesus is here, calling people to his light.