Our Beacon Of Hope

The Keeper's House

A small boat scarcely seen,

In wild, torrential seas.

A rocky coast awaits!

Hear, cry... "Is this my fate?"

A beam of light shines through,

Life line of hope guides true.

He stands with open arms,

Haven's rest, fends the storms.

Whose calling from the sea?

Lord, Jesus "It is me".

Written by Lisa Hollinger

May 2008 copyright

If you have a family member, a friend or a situation that has caused you deep distress, you may be feeling overwhelmed...like a small boat engulfed by torrential waves tossing to and fro. Seeing disaster ahead, you frantically try to steer the boat away from its rocky demise. Shouting “May-day” Is there is no one to help, no one to calm the raging storm, no one to throw a life line if swallowed up or tossed overboard? There... through the fog... a flickering light, a faint hope calls through the darkness.

Jesus, Our “Beacon of Hope”.

There it is again! The light beam brightens, beckoning “come this way” a refuge awaits, a safe haven through the tempests. When we finally stop fighting the heavy seas of adversity and throw ourselves fully and completely into the Master’s arms, He will light our way.

"Master, carest thou not that we perish?

"When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep".
Have you tried to follow the Lord and the downpour of adversity became so great, that you felt as if you were going under? Do you ask yourself if God still cares, does he hear your prayers, or if you are being punished? Does God seem distant to you, leaving you in a boat, in an ocean of trouble without a paddle? Jesus is right there in the ship with you, just like He was with his disciples who were feeling some similar thoughts. Jesus rested, appeared like He was asleep. He understood all and had the power to calm the storm.

Jesus said, "Why are you so fearful?"

If you are experiencing heavy storms, especially from someone you care about or due to a difficult situation, you may feel pressed from all sides. Fear can hit you like a heavy wave; it floods and controls one's emotions. You must keep your eyes fixed upon the Lord and not lose sight of Him. If you allow bitterness or anger in, you will capsize. When Peter walked on water he became frightened. "But seeing the wind, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me! Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" When Peter returned his eyes to Christ, he was delivered from sinking. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and you too will rise above your circumstances.

Today remember the Master and Commander of your life, the one called Jesus Christ. He will speak "peace" to your confusion, "stillness" to your chaos and "rest" for your weary soul. Let go of the helm of controls to Him who calms the sea. Let Him comfort you, love you and teach you through it all. Jesus is our refuge and our strength.

"And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

Mark 4:38-41

"Beacon of Hope is a product of imagination and an allegory of faith. A small boat, barely visible on the horizon, rides heavy seas that surge and crash onto a rocky coast; the lighthouse beacon is its sole guide. The keeper's house is a safe haven against all storms. " — Thomas Kinkade