Many years ago, someone gave my family a cassette tape of an a cappella group. My dad enjoyed the message of one song in particular: The Lighthouse. The song compares Jesus to a lighthouse, bringing people to salvation. The imagery is beautiful. However, Scripture also tells us that WE are to be a light to the world. The church should shine so brightly that others are drawn to her.

Years later, while living in Colorado Springs, our preacher called us to “man the lifeboats!” He referenced the hymn, Let the Lower Lights Be Burning and talked about how Christians are a beacon of hope for the lost. The illustration stuck with me.

Over the years, through seasons of loss, transition, uncertainty, and change, I’ve learned more about what it means to be a consistent light to others.

Some days, I keep others from being pulled under the waves. On other days, someone throws me a life preserver and moves me to safer waters.

One of the hardest seasons of my life taught me even more about the importance of lifeboats.

In Exodus 17, we read of battle. While Moses kept his arms raised, Israel prevailed. If his arms fell, the Israelites also “drooped.” Aaron and Hur each took an arm and held them steady. I watched that picture come to life as people held up those who were grieving. Others held up the people doing the holding. Sometimes we man the lifeboats. Sometimes we are the ones who need to be pulled aboard.

As we go, we hope to get as many people into the lifeboats as we can. We pray that we are a light to those grasping in darkness. We strive to make waves instead of ripples in the lives we touch. We want to make Heaven crowded.