John 8:12 (KJV)
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the Light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of life.

I took this picture but didn't know why I took it.  It's in San Francisco walking on the pathway to the Point Bonita light house. 
It hit me once I looked at it  (side note, we do things or things happen in our lives that we may never know the reason why at that moment... this is a good example!).

Jesus said He is the Light of the world.  It was again stated in John's gospel in 9:5 "As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the world."

We may think that we're in a dark part of life but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.  A story was told this last Sabbath (Saturday) at church about two girls who got lost and had to walk through a long tunnel.  They were scared at first as they had no light to show them where to go but they kept on going further and eventually saw a bit of light that seemed to grow bigger and bigger as they walked closer to it.  They finally got out of the tunnel.

Today, a few of my friends decided to go to Bayside Church's congregation of all 9 of their churches at Arco Arena.  After some awesome praise music from Lincoln Brewster  The chaplain for the Sacramento Kings, Bishop SC Carthen, spoke.  The talked about how he lost family and was molested several times growing up.  Each time he said that he became victorious and didn't let the trials he faced keep him down.

No matter what situation(s) we may face (job, finances, family/friend issues, insecurities, etc.) we WILL see the Light at the end of the tunnel.  The walk in the tunnel is definitely a long, but we WILL become victorious over our trials/situations.  When I wasn't making that much money I kept praying for a better paying job.  After about 2 years finally the Lord provided and I saw Light at the end of the darkness I was walking in.  I'm now at a point to switch to a newer/better job and have been praying that I can see the Light at the end of the tunnel. 

I'm starting to see a bit of the Light though am still waiting to see the end of tunnel.  I know I'll get there and so will you!

Picture by: Kristopher Cabreira 7/1/07



"There's a lighthouse on the hillside that over looks life's sea.
When I'm tossed it sends out a light, that I might see.
And the light that shines in darkness now will safely lead me on.
If it wasn't for the lighthouse, my ship would sail no more.

"Everybody that lives around us, says tear that lighthouse down.
The big ships they don't sail this way anymore, there's no need of it standing around.
But then my mind goes back to that stormy night, when just in time I saw the light.
Oh the light from that old lighthouse that stands up there on the hill.

And I thank God for the lighthouse, I owe my life to Him for Jesus is the lighthouse.
And from the rocks of sin; He has shone a light around me that I could clearly see
and if it wasn't for the lighthouse, where would this ship be?"
Ronnie Hinson, Copyright 1971.




Ships need the light from a lighthouse in order to not hit the rocky cliffs or shallow waters of the sea.  Now, during a clear day, such as my picture depicts, they of course don't need it.  But during the night and foggy days, ships really do need lighthouses even in today's world of sonar mapping and GPS.  Lighthouses will never go away! 

I love lighthouses and they're never the same though they serve the same purpose.  I have pictures of so many different ones from around the world.  My living room is decorated in a nautical theme with lighthouses as the main staple.  The song lyrics above are sung by many different groups but I first came across the song sung by the Heritage Singers many years ago and I still hear it today.

Jesus is the main lighthouse as He has shown us the way in, though I also believe we're like the lighthouses; we share Jesus and God's grace to others so they may come into the fold safely and not hit the rocky cliffs of life.  I try to be and I my prayer is that others may too.  I remember Christ saying that we shouldn't judge others, though we should actually LOVE others... and treat others as we want to be treated.  If you don't want to be judged then don't judge others.  Share Christ, be a light that people want to move to and be guided by.  You've heard of the expression "Come to the light" well, that's what others should hear "Come to the Light" (emphasis on the capital L as I'm referring to God).  "Come to God"and receive everlasting life.

Here's a comparison: The seas may be rough, but a ship can still be guided by a lighthouse.  Life may be rough, but we can still be guided by God.