It takes great skill to handle a ship on the open sea. There is no highway or road to follow and although there are rules governing ship movements, they are not like those of the road. When a ship is underway, you cannot normally stop it within a few metres of where you begin to stop the propulsion. It can take many miles to bring it to a full stop.

In the open ocean there are no landmarks visible. Therefore, ships use technologies such as GPS to determine positions at sea. However, historically, celestial navigation was used by ships in the open ocean and when they entered territorial waters they would rely on natural markers and, also, Lighthouses to assist them regarding dangers. Often, these man-made markers would be situated on hills or rocks with the purpose of pointing the way to safety. As the song goes, “if it weren’t for the Lighthouse, where would this ship be?”

As workers of Lighthouse Harbour Ministries, we want to point seafarers (and others) to God’s love as being the way to life’s safe harbour. His love gives context to the confusing landscape of lives which are tossed about by the wild waves of experiences and points them in the right direction. Once they have placed their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ they are sure to sail straight “into their desired haven.” (Ps. 107:30b)