Nearing the Shore

Nearing the Shore

December 2020

The year 2020 held challenges for the entire world that no one knew were coming. Saying farewell to this year, there was a guarded sense of optimism for the future.

With the distribution of vaccines came a relief and the feeling that the end of this particular challenge was on the horizon.

One day as I tried to focus on the new year my mind kept going to a song I learned as a teenager called Nearing the Shore written by Judson W. Van De Venter

Nearing the shore, we're nearing the shore troubles soon will be over,

we'll sorrow no more. Cares are all past, victory at last, oh, it is wonderful,

to be nearing the shore. Nearing the shore, I see the lighthouse, Jesus divine,

who will say welcome, to this heart of mine. Cares are all past, victory at last, oh it is wonderful, to be nearing the shore.

Somehow, I could visualize standing and looking toward a lighthouse feeling a great sense of relief that a difficult journey finally had an end in sight. A place of solid ground. A place where the rocking boat could settle after being tossed by a storm.

Though there is some light at the end of this Covid-19 tunnel, there is a far greater light that I value. Jesus said he was the light of the world and that whoever followed him would never walk in darkness but have the light of life.

Does that make sense to you?

I am 63 years old. I have been walking with Jesus since I was seven. There has never been a time when I felt alone because of that promise from Jesus.

When I accepted him as my savior, he took up residence in me. I have walked through heartache, betrayal, death of loved ones, sorrow caused by drugs in my family, financial challenges, loneliness, uncertain relationships, violence, concerns for my children, difficult work situations and felt misunderstood at times. Yet in the hardest moments I still knew I was not alone.

Even when my own actions caused the pain I was not alone. In the dark moments when I forgot to talk to God, He was still there. In the times of my greatest joy when not one person on this earth wanted to dance with me, He did.

Jesus explained that if you know him then you also know His father. Now that is good news.

If you find yourself needing a lighthouse, I’ll be glad to tell you more about mine. joni@morningloryministry