Weary Traveller, This Way to Home

                                                 
So, many people choose a word for their year. A word that embodies something they want to strive for or be aligned with. And typically it's a word that makes life better in some way, usually because it's a discipline or a narrative that they'd like to live under. Initially, going into the year I didn't have a word. I've done it in the past, but there was nothing that was grabbing my attention as January came and the new year resolutions began. But eventually, a couple did come to mind; stewardship and Steadfast(ness). But why? And what is steadfastness or to remain steadfast? Well, the webster definition says, Steadfast: loyal, unswerving, immovable. So maybe there was something that really resonated with me in one of those words.

We used to sing this song on Monday mornings when I was in elementary, middle, and high school, as a school (k-12). We'd all gather along the outside court lines of the gym to hear Monday announcements and then close out the morning by singing Lamentations 3, "The Steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning (x2), Great is thy faithfulness Oh Lord.. great is thy faithfulness." And we'd laugh and grin because we were awkward middle and high schoolers who didn't sound all that good, but were glad to have 10 minutes less of first period. Truly a joyful noise. 

Those words were meaningful then, but it wasn't until years later that they took root in a new way and weren't just part of some song echoing in a gymnasium. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. If you take Webster's definitions then you can substitute that word out. It then becomes, the loyal love of the Lord never ceases, the unswerving love of the Lord never ceases, the immovable love of the Lord never... ceases. And His mercies never come to an end. In fact, they are new every morning. What a promise! 

When I think and reflect on what it means to be steadfast, this image of a Lighthouse comes to mind. Lighthouses are towers that mainly produce a light that guides mariners safely to and from their destinations. They stand there; unswerving and guiding no matter the conditions. So if this is my image of steadfastness, I first think of my Savior. That he is light and life, unshakeable, immovable, and guiding me every step of the way. That even when I think I've got it without Him or I don't see his direction clearly, he's still there, lighting the way through the fog. Then secondly, I think of how I want to live. I desire to be steadfast. That I might be unwavering in my faith, a light that's put on a stand (or hill by water) that gives light to all in the house (Matthew 5). That when people encounter me, I'm consistent. That even when waves come, I might be loyal, unswerving, and immovable. And not because of me or by my own merit, but because of the lighthouse keeper. 

If lighthouses didn't exist, boat travel would be far more dangerous. Lakes and oceans can be incredibly unforgiving. Though many are experts, for a seafarer, life out on the water can still be treacherous, unnerving, and unknown. Even with modern day GPS systems, if mechanical failure happens, a boat's failsafe is the lighthouse. If all else goes awry, it stands there saying "weary traveller, this way to home." and what a welcoming beacon of hope and light it often is.

How is the steadfast love of the Lord evident in your life? Where do you see it the most? Where can you become more steadfast (loyal, unswerving, immovable) this year?

Maybe next time you see a lighthouse, it won't just be a cool landmark but a reminder or encouragement of God's unending love and mercy and even a call to remain unswerving as well.



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