For Such a Place as This

We do not like being in dangerous places, facing difficult circumstances, or anticipating the potential of destructive outcomes. The events of this past year have highlighted the discomfort such elements produce. The nation has faced a pandemic, political unrest, financial chaos, and the emotional fallout that has left people unsettled. One thing is certain. People do not like the place they are in currently. How many have fantasized about being in another place at in a time like this?

     Would a place like this fit with your fantasy? A five-acre rock island 26 miles off the coast of Maine. Former inhabitants had soil brought out in bushel baskets in the spring and summer to pack into the clefts of the rocks so a few flowers could be planted to give the desolate place a touch of garden color.  Storms that pound the area are so massive that waves sweep over the entire island, and even structures at times, with a force that can move 75-ton boulders – not to mention the tiny flower gardens packed into the rocky crevices! On top of this, residents living there were occasionally cut off from any physical contact with another human for as much as a month due to storms in the region.

     Since August 25, 1830, this place was home to numerous families. In later years the Coast Guard took over the role of manning the lighthouse because there was a need for such a place as this. From this place nautical interests were warned of danger, provided direction, and offered assistance. Coast Guard keepers were ultimately removed from the post when the station was automated in late 1977. The place is still needed, but technology has replaced the human presence.

     The human element, however, is needed in the storms entering people’s lives. The wisest of all men according to his contemporaries was Solomon. He made a keen observation about life when he wrote, “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Society has applauded rugged individualism but created a culture of loneliness. The CDC reports that the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found “more than one-third of adults aged 45 and older feel lonely, and nearly one-fourth of adults aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated.” Often the individual one allows to enter their life is the “lighthouse” they need in their life’s journey.

     Perspective sometimes is lost as one faces life. It is sometimes restored when another person becomes the “lighthouse” in those dark times or a stormy environment. In the wisdom literature of the Bible we read, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity” (Proverbs 17:17). How often does one’s understanding become clouded, and another person shines a “beam of clarification” suggesting a reality that had been overlooked? Such is the case when Paul had to confront his fellow apostle and friend Peter with his hypocrisy. He had become fearful of other’s opinions of him. Paul testifies, “I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong” (Galatians 2:11). The “beam of light” in the form of a rebuke of a loving friend corrected Peter’s hypocritical distortion.

     Sometimes a person is a “lighthouse” of comfort and confirmation to a person who is unclear about life’s direction. The writer of Proverbs 27:9 concludes “The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.” How many times has a person floundering in uncertainty and confusion been encouraged by an affirmation or direction from another’s insight?  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe issues a great reminder, “Instruction does much, but encouragement everything." Encourage more; preach less.

     Jesus made it clear to his disciples that they were to be “lighthouses” of sorts in Matthew 5:14-16 saying they were the “light of the world.” What is desperately needed in these days are “lighthouses” of hope. Remember that lighthouses are not placed in comfortable, safe places. They are placed where they can impact those whose lives are in real need. They are positioned for service not convenience.

     Off the coast of Massachusetts there is another impressive lighthouse. Minot's Ledge Light has for over 150 years fulfilled its mission. It beams out its flashing light in a 1-4-3 flashing pattern.  Soon observers noted the pattern contained the same numerical count as the words "I love you." Whereupon the lighthouse was popularly called the "I love you" light. That is a message that God beams out to our world in chaos. It is the same message that He expects His followers to signal to a world in need of hope. They are designed for such a place – right where they are – to shine their lights declaring this hopeful message.   

Able to Deliver Us

About this time last year our nation and indeed the world was seeing the COVID cloud beginning to form on the horizon of history. As it loomed into our sight our curiosity was stimulated by a viral outbreak in China. Did we ever imagine what might be in store for our nation? Perhaps it was assumed there would likely be some sort of impact – hopefully slight. Did we wonder if this virus produces any unpleasant changes? People generally are not comfortable with change. Mark Twain correctly concluded, “The only one that likes change is a wet baby.” Yet this past year was all about change. It came rapidly, unpredictably, and in most cases inconveniently. Our nation has processed change but not always successfully as fears grew, annoyances blossomed, emotions frazzled, perspectives distorted, and uncertainty morphed into despair at times. As the last ticks of 2020 wound down people were heard saying, “Glad we are past that and can start getting back to normal.” As those aspirations were expressed, I began thinking, “Will we really get back to normal? Is normal really just uncertainty dressed in new kinds of challenges and adversity that must be faced?” Life as I have frequently defined it is a series of changes often interrupted by an occasional crisis.

     People are applauding progress in the battle against the COVID virus. They should. People have made extraordinary efforts and made countless sacrifices to address this horrendous pandemic. Yet the nagging question stands, “Have we taken a successful path, or will we come to the conclusion that there are multiple issues that demand our attention to arrest this viral scourge successfully?” Even at this date we are hearing that the virus has made some alterations to its structure that make the spread of the virus even more rapid. How many other discoveries will be made in the coming days that had not been considered regarding this nemesis? Does this mean we should cower in enclaves of supposed safety or placate our fears by denying the evidence that is being continually uncovered? Perhaps a better response would be to continue boldly, wisely, and intelligently to battle this formidable foe. Passivity does not defeat enemies; it only allows them to become more entrenched and powerful.

     What should our response be concerning this current reality? People are making their best educated guesses as to what should be done. Heeding their advice warrants consideration. Beyond this what might we do? First, do not become obsessed with what might happen in future days. Obsession can easily drive a person to an emotional paralysis where one is so overcome with “might be” thoughts so that “should be” thoughts are blocked. Then wise, necessary, and healthy actions are not pursued. Proverbs 26:13 pictures such a situation, “The slacker claims, ‘There’s a lion on the road! Yes, I’m sure there’s a lion out there!’” The person becomes so obsessed with the “might be” of a lion that his “should be,” laboring for his needs, is ignored and he becomes a slacker.

     Also consider realities and resources beyond what we are even aware as we face the challenges of life. Too often people are limiting themselves to seeing only human solutions to problems. We have heard repeatedly, “We need to follow the science.” There is a level of truth to this. There must also be a consideration that science is expansive and occasionally makes unsuspected discoveries beyond what was being considered. For example, consider the discovery a Scottish biologist, Alexander Fleming, made while investigating staphylococci, known commonly as staph. After a brief vacation, he returned and found a strange fungus on a culture he had left unattended in his lab — a fungus that had killed off all surrounding bacteria in the culture. He providentially discovered penicillin. Such cases underscore a verse in Scripture where the Apostle Paul describes how God often works, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). Just because a human solution is not currently available does not mean that God cannot providentially intervene in situations we consider overwhelming.

     Lastly, maintain confidence in times when uncertainty could shake our faith. In the book of Daniel three young Jewish men faced certain death in a fiery furnace. They responded to a command to worship a king’s image which violated their faith by saying, “O king, we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up” (3:18). They did not flinch because they trusted the God they loved and served saying, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us.” They believed their destiny was in God’s hands not man’s. How many times do we assume the need to protect ourselves or rely solely upon human solutions rather than to trust God who is almighty to deliver? As a result of their actions and their deliverance, a king who wanted to be acknowledged as god, recognized their God by saying, “There is no other God that can deliver after this sort” (3:29).

     In these tough times may we not obsess but rely upon divine providence and maintain an unswerving faith in an Almighty deliverer. As Elizabeth Elliot said, “Whatever dark tunnel we may be called upon to travel through, God has been there.” I would simply add, “And He is still there with you; you are not alone.” Trust your steps to a reliable and faithful God.