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Oh no! There’s another one. Third shipwreck this month.

Frequent shipwrecks were common along this coastline. A sudden shift in winds or a thick fog, and boats would been slamming into the rocks. Then the lighthouse rescue crew would spring into action.

I’ll wake the team.

Better hurry. Those sailors are desperate.

Abandon ship!

The skillful crew of the little lighthouse soon grew famous for their lifesaving prowess.

Oh thank you! You saved me!

People began giving what they could to help the lighthouse improve its mission.

You saved my life! Here, take this money!

I want to help save lives!

Can I join your crew?

Then one day, someone said…

Hey, this old lighthouse isn’t suiting our needs anymore. Let’s tear it down and build a bigger facility.

Yeah!

Go for it!

With a new facility the lighthouse’s fame grew even wider.

It wasn’t long before a new wing was added and the lighthouse society was formed for social events.

It was during one of these prestigious social events, the annual fundraiser formal, that one of the most devastating shipwrecks occurred on the rocks.

The new lighthouse was soon filled with smelly, hungry, filthy survivors…and the banquet was ruined.

Pee-uuu! Ugh!

Soon after, a prominent member of the Lighthouse Society spoke up.

Ladies and gentlemen, times have changed. I believe that life saving has become a hindrance to all of the new and important functions we do now.

Yeah! Hear! Hear!

But we’re a rescue station…it’s the reason we exist!

Boo! Hiss! Sit down!

Arguments followed. Soon there was a split and a small group went down the coast and struggled to start a new lighthouse.

It wasn’t long before they became successful. Once again benefactors came from miles around to help.

Such a courageous crew deserves better facilities. Let’s build a new wing.

As you might guess, it wasn’t long before the lifesaving operation diminished. Arguments arose and a few broke off to build a third lighthouse.

…and then came a fourth lighthouse.

…and then a fifth…

Moral:

One of the dangers when we’re successful in ministry is, pride enters in and we can easily lose sight of what the Lord has called us to do…to reach and rescue the lost.

We must make sure our churches and ministries do not exist merely to sustain themselves, but to fulfill the Great Commission…

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20).

What in your life needs refocusing? What has been distracting you from being faithful to your calling? What will you do differently?

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