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THE LIGHTHOUSE OF HOPE
How the evening has grown dusky. The growing wind speed
indicates that there's going to be quite a storm. Outlines of
other boats are seen vaguely on the horizon. The lights of masts
are shining like stars on the sky. How privileged, are me and
my fellow travellers are for getting this opportunity to sail
towards the New World, and the Port of Peace there. The King
was able, by his messengers, to convince us all how close the
destruction of the Old World was, and we'd be destroyed together
with it:" Do not love the world or the things in the world.
If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the
lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father
but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust
of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."
(1. Jh.2:15-17) With varying sailing skills we are sailing on
these rocky waters towards the Lighthouse of Hope, shining far
away on the horizon:" Therefore we also, since we are surrounded
by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight,
and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with
endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus,
the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was
set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has
sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider
Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself,
lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." (Hebr.12:1-3)
These dangerous waters have demanded many victims already,
and some have turned their boats back. There certainly are many
reasons for those ship wrecks. One thing in common for those
disasters, however, is the limited skill of reading the nautical
chart. The King have given us this nautical chart which helps
us safely navigate to the Port of Peace. This chart is called
Bible. Inadequate skill of reading nautical chart and bad sailing
weather are a bad combination, of course. The boatbuilding shop,
owned by the King, have done boats with so high quality, that
with those boats you can sail even on heavy storm. Therefore
it's strange that even on exellent sailing conditions, accompanied
by favourable wind, many has suffered shipwreck:" But those
who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into
many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction
and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of
evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness,
and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (1. Tim.
6:9,10)
I have to admit quite openly that many times I have lost
the Lighthouse of Hope off my sight, touched ground and wandered
around the sea during this sailing trip. Everyday, however, my
sailing skill are becoming better, and those skill I have learned
and my observations I share with other sailors. Samewise others
share their observations with me, and we are absolutely convinced
that we will reach our destination: "that by two immutable
things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have
strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the
hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul,
both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind
the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus,
having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek."
(Hebr.6:18-20)
With sailing greetings
J. P.
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