Monday Ministerial Musings
By Rev. Mark William Ennis
2023 Blog #28
July 10, 2023
The Theology of the Cape May Light House
I spent a wonderful Independence Day down the Jersey Shore. Specifically I was in Wildwood and I also visited the Cape May light house. This lighthouse is part of a New Jersey State park and has been guiding ships since it was made operational in 1859. This lighthouse is actually the third lighthouse to sit on the site. The first two, built earlier in the 1800’s were the victims of beach erosion. The current light house, like the two before it, has one purpose, to guide ships away from the potential danger along the coast.
I once read that runway lights at airports were conceived of by modeling light houses. Pilots, like sailors, need lights to guide their passages and keep them out of dangerous terrain. I liken these to reflective posts along highways to keep drivers on the road. In every context of life, we need guidelines to keep us from danger. What are your guidelines?
I have been told by people older than myself, who have a longer view of history, that prior to World War II, our nation frequently used religious faith as the guideline to actions. People in that era would frequently ask, “what does God want me to do?” In the post-World War II era there was a shift in thinking toward the question “what makes me feel good?” In short, we shifted from divinity to humanism.
Certainly, I believe that the shift in philosophies is reflected in our cultural behavior. Just compare how politicians who grew up pre-World War II presented themselves compared to how our current ones do. Is it my imagination or have manners and social graces declined with this change of philosophy from pleasing God to pleasing ourselves?
The pre-World War II America certainly was not perfect and had flaws of its own but I suggest that if we return to letting faith, and God’s written word guide us, we shall have a more civil and classier nation. If every day we woke up more concerned with what God desired of us than our own desires, how much improved would our behavior be?
People who practice faith are now a minority in our nation. But there are many of us who still strive to live faithfully. It is time for us who are faithful to set the badly needed example. To we act as people who ask “what does God expect from us before we think, speak, or act?
Without the faithful lighting the lighthouse, people will follow other lights to guide them. I believe that our communities will benefit if we again shine bright light to guide people toward better, more Godly, ways of living. Will you join me in constructing a tall light house and making sure that it stays lit?
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#Behavior #Godliness
To read more of Pastor Mark’s writings, please look at his website:
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