"No, Sir, Never!"

"A story is told of the watchman at Calais lighthouse. He "was boasting of the brilliancy of his lantern, which can be seen ten leagues out at sea, when a visitor said to him:   "'You speak with enthusiasm, sir, and that is well. I like to hear men tell what they are sure they have and know; but what if one of the lights should chance to go out?'  "'Never, never! Absurd, impossible!' replied the sensitive watchman, in consternation at the mere supposition of such a thing. 'Why, sir,' he continued, and pointed to the ocean, 'yonder where nothing can be seen, there are ships going by to every port in the world. If, tonight, one of my burners were out, within six months would come a letter, perhaps from India, perhaps from Australia, perhaps from some port I never heard of before,--a letter, saying that on such a night, at such an hour, at such a minute, the light at Calais burned low and dim; that the watchman neglected his post; that vessels were consequently put in jeopardy on the high seas. Ah, sir,' and his face shone with the intensity of his thought, 'sometimes, in the dark nights, and in the stormy weather, I look out upon the sea, and feel as if the eye of the whole world were looking at my light. Go out? Burn dim? That flame flicker low or fail? No, sir, never!" "  {ST, May 24, 1910 par. 7}

 "Shall Christians, shining for tempted sinners, allow their light to fail? Forever out upon life's billowy sea, are souls we see not, strange sailors in the dark, passing by, struggling, it may be, amid the surges of temptation. Christ is the light, and the Christian is appointed to reflect the light. The ocean is vast, its dangers are many, and the eyes of far-away voyagers are turned toward the lighthouse -- the church of Jesus Christ. The church is set to be the light of the world. Are its revolving lamps all trimmed and brightly burning?"  Think of this, professed Christians. A failure to let your light shine, a neglect to obtain heavenly wisdom that you may have light from God, may cause the loss of a soul. What is the life lost at sea, in comparison with the eternal life which may be lost through your unfaithfulness? Can you endure the thought? Can you go on from day to day indifferent and careless, as tho there were no God, no hereafter; as tho you were not Christ's servant; as tho you had no blood-bought privileges? It is of the highest consequence that you stand at your post, like the faithful watchman, that your light may shine out before others. You should be so impressed with the importance of your work, that to the question, "What if your light should go out?" your whole soul would respond, "Never, never! for then souls would be lost!" {ST, May 24, 1910 par. 9}

 This really spoke to my heart as I read it......

Could I answer like the lighthouse keeper, " Go out? Burn dim? That flame flicker low or fail? No, sir, never!" ?

How about you?.........

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."  Matthew 5:14-16

May we each be a lighthouse on a hill for all to see....that will never go out....or burn dim! May we always shine for Jesus....brightening the corners where we are!

3. Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do, Do not wait to shed your light afar, To the many duties ever near you now be true,
4. Just above are clouded skies that you may help to clear, Let not narrow self your way debar, Tho’ into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer,
5. Here for all your talent you may surely find a need, Here reflect the bright and morning star, Even from your humble hand the bread of life may feed,

Chorus

Brighten the corner where you are, brighten the corner where you are, someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar....brighten the corner where you are!"

 One of my favorite songs! :).....May we each one heed it's sweet, simple message!

Your fellow lighthouse keeper,

Cortney :)