Remember the dumb things you did in college? I can’t be the only one who made some “poor choices” as a young man. One time some buddies and I rented a cabin on a lake. In the middle of the night, we thought it would be a great idea to take a small boat out on the water. The boat sank! Lifejackets? Nah, we didn’t need those. It was time to frantically swim for shore. All I remember is seeing one light on a dock and thinking I just needed to focus on that light and keep swimming for it. Thankfully we all arrived safe and sound – and wet and humbled.
I’ve been thinking about that ugly night in the context of our theme for this school year “See the Light…Be the Light” based on John 8:12. The light on the dock that night makes me think of Psalm 43:3: “Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me.” Often in this crazy, mixed up, sinful world we can get lost and distracted in all the darkness. It’s hard to focus and we sometimes get confused and aren’t sure what to do. That’s where Jesus and God’s Word come in. They are the singular light in the darkness and should be our one and only focus as we navigate the challenges in life. Just like I swam for that light on the dock, I strive to “fix my eyes on Jesus” and let Him lead me home.