Second in OCEAN VIEW series

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105

The only features of our “pet friendly” accommodations made known to me, prior to arriving, was the $200 fee. I left home with questions, like, would he be welcome on the beach? Would there be a pet check-in to present his required vaccination status? Most importantly, would we have a place to take our morning walks? The answers turned out to be yes, no, and yes, in that order. Sadly, even though dogs were allowed on the beach, I never made time to show Auggie the ocean; maybe another time. As for the check-in, no human interaction occurred other than the many oohs and aahs and “may we pet him” offers. The morning and evening walks were a dream come true! Soft sandy paths connecting the houses, streets, restaurants and the beach, were wrapped with cute little picket fences every step of the way. Best of all were the lights! Perfectly placed along and low on the fences, at just the right level to illuminate our path, were automatic lights. Everywhere. We never had to walk in the dark, nor search for light switches. No flashlight necessary; no effort on my part, the light was always on time and enduring. Not unlike God’s word, right? May I make a couple more comparisons? Walk with Auggie and me as we continue to see similarities between our path’s golden glow and God’s word.

I wish I’d taken a picture of our walking path after dark, to show how our steps were not darkened by the many shadows cast by trees and buildings which stood between us and overhead street lights. This was due to the shin-high lamps illuminating our path. I was reminded of Psalm 119:133 “Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.” Truly our path was not overshadowed. I didn’t trip, and Auggie wasn’t startled; at least not in the dark. Only once, during daylight, did our path encounter a bully who had escaped from its owner. But that’s another story, and a comical one at that.

Some well-intended light sources can be glaring, or blinding, like headlights on high-beam or a porch light so bright it ruins the ambience. These pathway lamps had just the right glow – easy on the eyes and pleasantly guiding the way. Again in Psalm 119, “Your word is very pure; therefore your servant loves it.” (verse 140) Here again we see the likeness between our pathway lamps and God’s word. We open it and read of the love put into showing us the way as God Himself breathed the inspired word for our benefit. It is not meant to be used as a weapon to battle each other, but to bring light to a world darkened by the work of satan. Many times Jesus pointed out how the Pharisees used the law to entrap and segregate. But Jesus came bringing life, “and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4) A light to our path.

One other helpful feature I noticed about our pathway lamps was the appropriate spacing. This way the whole path is well lit, eliminating spot lighting with gaps. We could walk confidently, knowing what was ahead. What a comfort on unfamiliar ground! In Psalm 119:50 the writer, speaking of God’s word, said “This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life.”

It’s a beautiful thing how the Word was with God, and, looking down on the darkness of this world, became flesh, suffering the darkness Himself, to become the light that would save the world. And returning to Heaven, He left us the light of His word to guide us home too; light that is readily available, expertly placed, pure and easy to see, that we may walk confidently. Even under afflictions, through dark times, and in unfamiliar territory, His light comforts, right on time, enduring forever.