My Lighthouse

Written By Diana Gove

Lately I have been reflecting on a song we used to sing in our high school choir in our Christian School. It’s called, “A Beacon of You.”

“A beacon of you, Light of the world, Lord Jesus, let this my prayer be- That in this dark world, others may see, a Beacon of You in me.”

These lyrics keep running through my mind as I pray, driving to work and to the new college semester each morning. My mind imagines a lighthouse and the big panes of glass surrounding the intense light within. A long time ago I saw a video commentary about how important it is to keep these panes clean and unbroken so the light could be seen as far as possible. I can’t help but compare it to my own life…
I’m saved, and I know that I am… as the song goes. God’s Spirit moved in the day I surrendered everything to Him and He has been changing me ever since.

The Light of the world is in me… like the lighthouse. But how clean are the “panes” of my life? Am I letting the Light shine, so others can see? Is my testimony for Christ ever cloudy or hard to detect? Sin can smear and blotch up my testimony, so the Light cannot be seen as well. Thoughts, desires, motives, personal standards, character… they all make up who I am and they either hinder or allow others to see Christ in me.

These verses often come to mind as the Lord works on my heart:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts:” Psalms 139:23
“Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” Psalms 51:2
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10

As I pray for the lost and for people close to my heart to be tender to the Lord working in them, I become more desirous to be a pure reflection of my Lord. How will they ever see Jesus if they can’t see Him in me? How many people never go to a church that teaches them about who God really is? How many never know a truly saved person who makes a difference in their life? Have they ever seen Jesus in anyone on a consistent basis? Has anyone ever shown them unconditional concern and love? Why would someone ever think about salvation if they haven’t first seen His reflection in someone else’s life? These questions burden my heart!

I talk about wanting people to get saved, praying with tears and great sorrow at times, but do I give them a reason to want to know God? When people say what a “good girl” I am, do I testify of what God has done in me… pointing them to His grace instead of “my” goodness? Is there any Holy Spirit power upon my testimony and daily walk with Christ…. Or am I just living a good life out of habit or a desire to please people?

And what about my mouth? It is easy for me to chat with people about everything under the sun, but do I hesitate at bringing up spiritual things? Do people hear about who God is and what He means to me, or is that window pane covered up?

“Oh Lord, please cleanse me so that You can shine on those still in darkness. Change me,
That in this dark world, others may see, a Beacon of You in me.”

Confession and repentance cleans out the life. God’s forgiveness and power overcomes the hardest of stains. And by His strength, we can keep our lives clean. Sometimes it means staying accountable to another spiritually minded person. Accountability is always worth it.

Why does it matter if we strive to stay clear of sin, or if we choose to just not care if anyone knows God better by knowing us? It matters because of somebody else’s soul… I must recognize that I, Diana Gove, a single girl, can be the light that makes the difference in some struggling person’s life. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Who, in this world, will know Christ because they knew me…