I Am The Lighthouse

There is a story I heard a long time ago about a captain of a navy vessel coming in contact with another vessel and arguing over who was going to go which way around each other when they met. The story goes like this:

In the midst of World War II with tensions running high...
Off the eastern seaboard, one dark and foggy night...
The captain sighted out ahead, just off the starboard side,
the beacon of another ship.... The two would soon collide.

"Adjust your course ten degrees to the north," he radioed ahead.
Much to his amazement, the 'ship' replied instead...
"Adjust your course ten degrees to the south."
The captain felt a chill.
His eyes grew cold and narrowed, and the two drew closer still.
"I'm the captain of this vessel, and this is a command.
Adjust your course ten degrees to the north, or receive a reprimand."
Again, the voice replied, as calm and smooth as glass...

"Adjust your course ten degrees to the south. I'm a seaman, second class."
I'm a U. S. Naval Destroyer," snapped the captain with a shout,
"Now adjust your course, ten degrees, no discussion. Over and out."
They drew unnervingly closer; his eyes fixed on the light.
This time the voice ripped through the air like lightning tears the night.
"I am the lighthouse.

This story was told in song by the Gaither's several years ago and it had a great impact on me then. I remember thinking that the captain was like me. He wanted his own way and be in charge of his ship or life in my case. I wanted God but I wanted him my way. I wanted him to help me the way I thought I needed help and when I wanted help.

But God is an immovable force to be recconed with. He is there and we must adjust our thoughts to his thoughts, our ways to his ways. If not we will be dashed upon the rocks and crushed into pieces. That's what happened to me.

What I saw more plainly was the story of the seaman second class. He has a confidence and assurance that was derived from the source of the lighthouse. He lives "in" the lighthouse. Christ is the lighthouse. When we are in Christ we have the confidence of knowing the source of his presence. He is the immovable rock of salvation we will be eithe dashed upon and fought to the end of ourselves or will will navigate around and avoid.

There is such a depth and strength of the lighthouse that is built upon a mighty fortress of God almighty. The lighthouse reveales the true nature of the foundation and warns us of the destruction to come. That foundation is also the strength we live in and upon when we enter into Christ.

I looked up every verse in the New Testament on "in Christ" the following list is the result of that search. What it says is that we have a rich and full life "inside" of Christ. The multitudes of blessings are our, when we are "in Christ". Star your new year off by confirming your position in Christ. Reconcile the course you are an on and decide if you are going to steer around God or enter into the lighthouse. Let your life be dashed and destroyed upon the rock. Be shipwrecked and saved. Then enter into fellowship with the source of life.

Act_24:24 faith in Christ.
Rom_3:24 justified – redemption in Christ Jesus;
Rom_8:1 no condemnation in Christ
Rom_8:2 of life in Christ
Rom_8:39 no separation in Christ.
Rom_9:1 truth in Christ
Rom_12:5 one body in Chris.
Rom_15:17 boasting in Christ
Rom_16:3 helpers in Christ Jesus,
Rom_16:7 kinsmen and fellow prisoners in Christ
Rom_16:9 helper in Chris.
Rom_16:10 approved in Christ.
1Co_1:2 sanctified in Christ
1Co_1:30 wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption; in Christ Jesus
1Co_4:10 wise in Christ strong honorable
1Co_15:19 we have hope in Christ
1Co_15:22 alive in Christ
1Co_15:31 rejoicing in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1Co_16:24 love in Christ
2Co_1:21 confirming and anointing us with you in Christ
2Co_2:14 triumph in Christ
2Co_2:17 sincerity in Christ
2Co_3:14 Unveiled vision in Christ.
2Co_5:17 new creature in Christ,
2Co_5:19 reconciliation in Christ.
Gal_2:4 liberty in Christ
Gal_2:16 justified in Christ
Gal_3:17 ratified by God in Christ
Gal_3:26 sons of God in Christ
Gal_3:28 all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal_6:15 a new creation.in Christ
Eph_1:1 faithful in Christ Jesus.
Eph_1:3 Blessed in Christ;
Eph_2:6 raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus,
Eph_2:10 God’s workmanship, created in Christ
Eph_2:13 made near in Christ.
Eph_3:6 partaker of His promise in Christ
Eph_3:11 eternal purpose in Christ
Php_1:1 saints in Christ
Php_1:13 bound in Christ
Php_2:1 encouragement comfort of love tendernesses and mercies in Christ,
Php_2:5 mind of in Christ
Php_3:3 confidence in Christ
Php_3:14 a high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Col_1:4 faith in Christ
Col_1:28 perfect in Christ.
Col_2:5 order and steadfastness in Christ.
1Th_4:16 risen first in Christ
1Th_5:18 thankful in Christ
1Ti_1:14 faith and love in Christ Jesus.
1Ti_2:7 speaking the truth in Christ
1Ti_3:13 boldness in Christ Jesus.
2Ti_1:1 the promise of life in Christ Jesus,
2Ti_1:9 saved and called in Christ Jesus before the eternal times.
2Ti_1:13 sound words in Christ Jesus.
2Ti_2:1 strong in the grace in Christ Jesus.
2Ti_2:10 salvation in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
2Ti_3:12 live godly in Christ
2Ti_3:15 wisdom in Christ Jesus.
Phm_1:6 every good thing in Christ Jesus.
Phm_1:8 boldness in Christ
1Pe_3:16 good behavior in Christ.
1Pe_5:14 Peace in Christ