“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)

A year ago my cousin invited me to meet up with her in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I’ve wanted to visit this string of barrier islands for years, so eager for the trip, my son and I set out for the 6-hour journey. On arriving in Avon, NC, I realized we were staying close to the infamous Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

I’m absolutely fascinated with lighthouses. I just think they’re cool! It’s interesting to me how for years they served as the beacon to guide and warn the ships at sea. So planning a trip to visit Cape Hatteras’ Lighthouse was a box in need of checking on my list.

But what I found extremely interesting was this particular lighthouse had been moved from its original location. Staring up at the nearly 200-foot-tall structure, I wondered how this was even possible. 

In the late 1800s, this tall guidepost sat 1,500 feet from the ocean and its light could be seen 16 miles out from the shore. But by 1970, it was just a mere 120 feet away from the water’s edge due to beach erosion. 

After years of planning and hundreds of people ready for the challenge, on June 17, 1999, the 4,830-ton black and white spiral lighthouse started its journey from the beach. Twenty-three days later on July 9, 1999, it arrived safely at its new home 1,500 feet back from its original location.

As I thought about this daunting yet amazing task, God whispered a thought to me: 

Sometimes I have to move My people too because their light is in danger of erosion from the world around them. 

Man, I love when God shows up and speaks His extraordinary in my everyday ordinary!  

And as I thought about it, I realized this was true for me and my family. God moved us to another geographical location where our light and example could better serve Him. 

He’s moved us out of certain unhealthy relationships where people were trying to lead us down the wrong paths. 

A few times He nudged us out of a spiritually dead church in search of one that’s spiritually sound where we could grow and deepen our faith walk.

And what about you? Have you had experiences in your life where He’s moved you?

God knows exactly where we need to be. And if it requires Him to move us from where we are, we can rest in His decision. The move may be hard, uncomfortable, or feel nearly impossible. He may also call upon several people to help move us along the way. Or at the time we may not even understand what He’s doing at all. Whatever the case, it takes just the right planning on His part and involves listening and obedience on our part.

So if I need to move in one way or another again, then I’m ready to go…

Because when we’re exactly where He wants us, our hearts are safely tucked back away from the world’s erosion and our light will shine far into the depths of this dark world.

Father, the enemy is always trying to encroach his worldly erosion in our lives. God if there is somewhere else any of us need to move so our light can shine brighter for You, then move us, Lord. Whether it’s out of a toxic relationship, an unhealthy church, or a completely different town, please lead and guide our steps within You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.