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New Article: The Light of the World


               In 1950, before Alan Shephard became the first American in space, he was a fighter pilot aboard the USS Oriskany.  One night while cruising around the western Pacific, the radar operator spotted two unidentified aircraft and Shepherd was dispatched to go check them out.  After strapping into his Banshee jet fighter, he launched, found the aircraft, and identified them as allies.  That was the easy part.

               Soon, bad weather rolled in, and Shephard found himself in heavy, driving rain.  Unable to see and flying by his instruments, he headed home.  Then his electrical equipment shut down.

               Facing a dire situation, Shephard reverted to his training.  When lost over open seas, pilots are taught to fly a square.  Go so many minutes in one direction, turn ninety degrees and fly that same amount of time in that direction.  Continue doing this until you complete the square.  If you have not located the aircraft carrier, begin flying larger squares until the target is found. 

               The rain made visibility so bad that he had to fly at a very low altitude, which meant that he was burning fuel at a tremendous rate.  Time was running out.  Just as he was preparing to face his fate and ditch his aircraft in the ocean, he saw a dim, red light just ahead of him.  He knew immediately that it had to be the light from the destroyer that sailed on the port side of the aircraft carrier.  With what little fuel he had left, he pointed the jet to where he thought the landing strip should be and put his plane down with only seconds to spare.

               Alan Shephard was saved because he saw a light in the darkness.

               It is not our job to save people.  Jesus has provided everything for a safe spiritual landing.  However, those around you could use a word of hope in times of trouble.  They need grace when judgment is all around.  They might be impressed by someone who does not just talk about Godly principles, but who tries to live them out.

It may not seem like much, but your actions can help people find their way home.

               “You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16)   

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