(Gleaned from a Facebook page.)

This is a story about a small community on the coast of one of the New England states in the late 1800s.  It was a beautiful little community with a majestic shoreline. Picturesque!  However, it was rocky, with large boulders and reefs off the coast, which made it very difficult for ships, both large and small, to navigate during the night hours.  Through the years, many ships and lives were lost because boats would run aground causing death and destruction.  Townspeople would help as they could, but they were limited because of night visibility.   Try as they could, they were unable to save those sailors lost at sea.  They simply did not know what to do to prevent such devastation.

One man who had just moved into the community met with some of the leaders of the town after he had witnessed one of the shipwrecks and rescue mission; and offered an idea to them.  He had been a ship captain and had noticed many miles up the coast that a community there had a lighthouse.  In fact, it had saved many ships and lives.  It had even saved his life one stormy night when he saw the light from the lighthouse; it guided him safely to harbor.  He reasoned if it had saved his life, a similar lighthouse in their community could save countless lives by guiding many ships and seamen in darkness safely to harbor.

The townspeople were convinced of the value of the project, so they set out to build a lighthouse for their community.  They chose a good spot – one that would let many ships see it.  Everyone worked enthusiastically.  All pitched in.  It was a real cooperative effort, because they were convinced of the urgency of the project.  Finally, it was built.  It was modest, yet beautiful in their eyes; but most of all it was functional. It was a facility to facilitate.   It had many lights in the tower -all aglow by candlepower since there was no electricity then.  All the folks were eager to light the many lanterns each night – even the teens and the little kids wanted to participate.  And, at first, it proved very successful.  Many ships were directed safely to harbor, always with great rejoicing and gratitude from those rescued.  The townspeople felt this to be the greatest accomplishment they could do in this life.  They had the light and they were saving lives.  Everybody in town was involved.

Things went well for several years because all worked together.  Everyone in town had a job to do keeping the light shining.  They all rejoiced when ships were safely moored to harbor.  As time went on, however, others began to move into town who had no interest in the lighthouse.  They had other interests which did not include leading ships safely to harbor.  They would come and see the lighthouse, then pass by on to other things.  At first those at the lighthouse tried to interest the others, but it did no good.  They tried to show them the joy of leading ships to harbor, but they were not interested in the lighthouse.  In fact, some of the newcomers thought it to be an ugly sore spot in the community.  A few even had the audacity to suggest that it be torn down!

It wasn’t long before those serving at the lighthouse began to associate with the others, especially the youth and the adults with younger families.  They began to tend to their duties less frequently.  It was so hard to squeeze everything into their already crowded day.  Besides, there were still plenty of others to light the lantern; and in addition, the activities in which they were now engaged were also very interesting and time-consuming.  Those who had begun to associate with the others convinced the group to give the lighthouse a face-lift and make it less of an eyesore.  So, they fixed it up and made sort of a country club out of it.  It was a nice place to go.

The few folks left who were genuinely interested in maintaining the lights above soon grew weary because there were so few to light the lanterns.  It grew easier and easier to stay downstairs and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the clubhouse and just talk about the good that the lighthouse had done.  They even decided to close the membership and not let anyone else in.  Someone suggested they get someone up the coast to keep the lights lit, but as each new person came, there was always internal bickering about whether he was the right helper to light the lanterns properly.  Each attendant never seemed to do the work quite right according to the person you asked. Try as he would, someone always found fault with his valiant efforts.  And the complaining continued while the lights grew dimmer each year.

In the meantime, the lighthouse had turned into a social club where everybody enjoyed just talking about the lighthouse.  They felt good that the lights were still burning -yet ever so dimly.  Little did they know that the lights could not be seen very far.  Many ship captains and seamen began having a hart time seeing the shoreline; but those inside didn’t know this.  Once in a while someone would go up and help shine the light with the attendant.  On those occasions the lights could be seen far into the distance, and a seaman could find his way.  The attendant was always appreciative for the help, but it didn’t come often.  Fewer came to help, because, quite frankly, they had forgotten how to light the lamps and shine the light.  Understandably, it became more difficult to keep good attendants when no one came to help.   Yet at one time long ago everyone knew how to light the lanterns and shine the light – but most now had forgotten how to do it.

Then it happened! One very stormy and treacherous night the light in the lighthouse went out just as a large ocean liner came near the harbor.  It ran aground on one of the large boulders and many lives were lost.  It also did irreparable damage to the ship.  Those in the lighthouse regretted the incident, but immediately began looking for blame.  Each one blamed the other.  Some blamed it on the former attendants who let the lanterns deteriorate, causing them not to be in good working order.  Others blamed it on the present attendant because he just couldn’t make it that night because he was seriously ill.  He had tried to get others to help but they were too busy to go upstairs and light the lamps.  Besides, no one would miss the lights out once in awhile.

As a result of that night, the members were so ashamed that they closed the lighthouse down.  It gathers dust and cobwebs and passersby talk about the old relic with scorn and remorse because many had looked for the light and needed it, only to find none.  Its job was to send the light into the darkness, but it did not do so.  A contradiction in terms!  A new lighthouse is being built down the road apiece by some of the survivors of the ship and by some who had been saved by the first lighthouse.  They recognized the need for a lighthouse because there will always be ships and seamen who are in darkness out there who need the light to come safely into the harbor.

“You are the light of the world – like a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket.  Instead, a lamp is put on a stand where it gives light to all in the house. In the same way let your light shine for all to see, so that all will praise your Father in heaven.”-Jesus