The Cracked Acorn: Lighthouse

At one of the local stores where I buy my gas and get coffee, I purchased a small framed picture of a lighthouse and a small sailboat in an inlet. It reminded me of my few experiences with boats.

First impression is that a storm is brewing at the end of the day. The lighthouse has not switched on its light. It may be late autumn. Leaves are changing colors on the shore. The shore of the lighthouse is rocky and the other shore looks to be one of safety. The small sailboat is trying to reach land near a small cottage in the woods. The sailboat is very small in comparison to the lighthouse. The threatening rock ledges are partially hidden by the lashing waves.

The coming storm is definitely too powerful for the small craft which has its single sail at the fullest extent. The lighthouse stands as a warning for the boat to stay away and not to come near the rocks. Does the sailboat see that it is in danger and will a warning from the lighthouse soon flash the warning that danger is at hand?

The artist of this painting must have known something of life. The sailboat is too small. The inlet of safety is filled with hidden dangers. Without an experienced pilot, the captain may not know these waters and how to get into the shore to escape the coming storm. The passengers may have been lulled into their nice voyage and have not been aware that soon their lives may be in danger. The light is not on in the lighthouse, does anyone care that a ship is in danger. The waves are viciously hitting the shore churned by a distant force while on the shore things still deceptively appear to be calm. Time may be running out for our sailor at the end of the day.

The oceans cover seventy percent of our planet. From the years 1845 to 1938, it is recorded that 105 ships with passengers and cargo went down off the Southern Cape Coast and more probably not recorded. An internet comment on this was that ship builders could hardly keep ahead of all the sinkings.

Many books have been written to emphasize the dangers of the oceans and how unforgiving the Mighty Deep can be. A war time novel by C.S. Forester, THE GOOD SHEPHERD, reminds you of those who have been committed to the deep because of the folly of man.

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was In the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 4)

Edward Hopper in 1871 was well aware of the loss of life due to the many shipwrecks and sinkings of his day. He wrote the hymn JESUS, SAVIOR, PILOT ME.