Easter Lighthouse Hike

 

For Easter weekend this year, I organized an early morning sunrise hike to the Makapu'u lighthouse. The shining beacon dates back to 1909 when it was built on a 600 foot sea cliff overlooking Makapu’u beach. The lighthouse commands a spectacular view of Windward O’ahu and overlooks the great blue expanse with beautiful vistas of surrounding islands. This early morning hike to the lighthouse was very fitting as Easter is a time we reflect on the light of the World, our Savior Jesus Christ who stands like a lighthouse guiding us all home. 

It was a 4:30 wake up in order for our group of 20 to arrive at the most eastern side of the island and hit the trail before dawn. As we ascended around the mountain, we witnessed daybreak with the sky fading from darkness to a gloriously radiant morning. It was breathtaking to behold the sun bursting fourth over the morning tide and it was so worth it to make it to look out and greet the dawning new day.

It really was a wonderful activity. After our hike we enjoyed some homemade breakfast burritos on the shore, and shared a wonderful Easter message. As we looked at the lighthouse, we sang a very fitting hymn, “Brightly Beams Our Father’s Mercy.” I did some research on the Hymn and found a very interesting story and, understanding it's origins, it takes on a much more profound meaning.

Philip Paul Bliss was directing the music at a service conducted by a well-known preacher, Dwight L. Moody. Concluding his message Moody told the story of a boat attempting to enter a harbor on a black stormy night. The waves rolled like mountains as the captain of the storm-tossed boat peered through the darkness for the sight of a signal light to guide his vessel to safety.

Spotting the single light from the light-house, The Captain asked, where are the lower lights? "Gone out," was the reply. Despite the captain's brave hand, in the darkness, the channel was missed because there were no lower lights surrounding the lighthouse and the harbor and with a resounding crash the boat piled upon the rocks and settled to a slow watery grave.

As the congregation listened intently, Moody concluded with this admonition to all Christians: "Brethren, the Master will take care of the great light-house, let us keep the lower light burning." That was all Bliss needed to pen one of his most popular hymns, "Let the Lower Light Be Burning." You never know when you will be a light to someone who struggles in darkness.  Read the beautiful lyrics below:

 

 

Hymn #335 on lds.org

Brightly beams our Father’s mercy
From his lighthouse evermore,
But to us he gives the keeping
Of the lights along the shore.

[Chorus]
Let the lower lights be burning;
Send a gleam across the wave.
Some poor fainting, struggling seaman
You may rescue, you may save.

Dark the night of sin has settled;
Loud the angry billows roar.
Eager eyes are watching, longing,
For the lights along the shore.

Trim your feeble lamp, my brother;
Some poor sailor, tempest-tossed,
Trying now to make the harbor,
In the darkness may be lost.