The Parable Of A Lighthouse

Proverbs 11:30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And he who wins souls is wise.

There was once a small little lighthouse situated on the coast of a tempestuous sea where shipwrecks frequently occurred. It was a life-saving station whose building was just a tiny hut with only one boat.
 
Nevertheless, there were a few dedicated and devoted people who faithfully kept watch over the sea especially during stormy days and nights. With no thought for their own lives, they went out searching to rescue some fainting seamen or sailors who were struggling to reach the shore.
 
As many lives were saved by this wonderful lighthouse, it soon became famous. Some of them who were saved, and various others living in the small community, became associated with the lighthouse. They gave their time, resources, efforts and money to support its life-saving mission. New boats were bought, and new crews were trained.
 
As the membership of this small lighthouse grew, some of the new members were unhappy that the building was so rough, unfinished and poorly equipped. They felt that it would be better to have a more comfortable place to house those needing refuge, help and medical attention.
 
They constructed a bigger building, and furnished it with better beds, decorations, fittings and furniture. Very soon, the life-saving station became a popular gathering place for its members to do some recreational activities including dining and entertaining. They refurnished it beautifully to become a clubhouse.
 
As the members were now more interested and engrossed in their club activities, they hired coastal guards to do their original life-saving work. They still gave lip-service, and talked about the life-saving mission of the lighthouse. But most of them were too busy, and became less committed in saving the lives of others stranded in the sea.
 
One day, a large ship was wrecked off the coast. The hired coastal guards brought in many cold, wet, dirty and sick people. Some of them had other skin colors, and some of them spoke different and strange languages. The new and beautiful clubhouse became messy and untidy with soiled carpets and dirty toilets.
 
The building committee immediately installed an outdoor shower facility so that those who were rescued would clean up before entering into the clubhouse.
 
Many of the members were unhappy about the intrusion and inconvenience caused by the survivors of the shipwreck! They had an emergency meeting to discuss the problems and issues caused by the outsiders.
 
There was a split in the club membership. Most of the members wanted to stop the life-saving activities, which only brought unpleasant people and pains into the clubhouse, and hindered its normal functions and recreational activities. But some of the faithful and older members insisted that life-saving was their primary purpose and mission!
 
They had a vote that divided the people. Those in favor of having a clubhouse would remain in the same building, and those who were interested in saving lives should start their own life-saving station down the coast.
 
As the years went by, many changes took place. Many new clubhouses were formed. Many eateries and shops were opened. The coast became a busy and buzzing marketplace, and also a famous tourist attraction.
 
Today, many exclusive country clubs and nightclubs are operating along the shore. Shipwrecks are still frequent in those troubled waters. But now, most of the shipwrecked people are drowned as there are very few or zero rescue teams.
 
And this is what will happen when a church becomes a clubhouse.

Written on: 1 July 2018