Before modern automation, lighthouses required keepers to be in residence at all times. Not only were the keepers responsible to ensure the fires continually burned to warn those passing by, they also daily had to polish the incredibly elaborate Fresnel lenses that enabled the light to be glimpsed across the distant reaches of the ocean.
The keeper of the light had to become a single unit with the lighthouse, his life intertwined with the workings of the beast, in order that he could be confident of the lighthouse’s saving power during the onslaught of the storms that were bound to arise.
John tells us we are to be the same in our Christian faith. He writes in 1 John 2:28 that we are to be the keeper that abides in the Lord. People around us will know where we make our spiritual home when they see the fruits of the Spirit in our lives. This is akin to the daily polishing of the lenses that radiated the brilliance of the small flame far across the sea. The lenses had to be polished even in good weather so that they might shine ever more brightly in the storm. We must do the same in our spiritual walk. Even when the weather is good, we must daily practice our spiritual gifts, so that when the storms arise, we can continue to shine faithfully for Jesus.
John says we are to do this that we should not feel ashamed at Christ’s return in the final day. How glorious, for the one who redeemed us to return and find us shining his message to the world, no matter what buffets us or tries to pull us away from him!
Building a strong foundation in good weather is what helps us survive the bad.
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