George was sent to Brunswick, Maine for several months back in 2005 while the USS Bainbridge was under construction at Bath Iron Works. I went up for a visit and we explored some of the area together.
One place we went was Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth. Portland Head Light sits nearby the old fort and is a fully automated light station equipped with a foghorn.
The Portland Head Light Station uses an air-chime diaphragm horn. It only sounds when a vessel is in the channel. A laser beam is shot out to sea; if it bounces back, the horn will begin to sound continuously. The horn at Portland Head blows a four second warning, every twenty seconds, when vessels are present during foggy conditions. The interval and duration of each light’s fog horn sound is different, which is another way for sailors to identify where they are.
Fog limits visibility; it also muffles sound. Limited visibility can cause disorientation, panic, and danger. Muffled sound makes us unaware of our proximity to danger. When fog prevents visibility, the intermittent sound of a fog horn helps vessels navigate safely through the channel.
Something I find interesting about fog horns is they don’t just blast out any loud noise. The horns must emit a specific frequency for clarity and distance in foggy conditions.
All this has me thinking about the importance of both light and sound for safe navigation on the waters and in life.
Letting my light shine may not be enough. I may need to speak truth to those around me. In fact, Christ followers have been commissioned to do just that.
Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” Mark 16:15 (NLT)
I can’t just be a blast of noise. Not all words penetrate the fog of circumstances that limit visibility and muffle the ears of our hearts. I must use the right frequency when speaking truth to others. I must speak in the frequency of God’s love.
“Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you.” Ephesians 4:29 (GNT)
I’m also reminded to surround myself with those who will do the same for me. I want to hear words of truth spoken with love during times of difficult circumstances; times when I’m unaware of my proximity to danger.
How about you? Has someone spoken a timely word into your life and helped you avoid unseen danger? If so, why not tell them? Who knows how timely your word of thanks will be for them?
Fun Facts: Portland Head Light is the oldest lighthouse in Maine, was commissioned by President George Washington when Maine was still part of the colony of Massachusetts, and was the first lighthouse to be built by the United States Government. It was dedicated by the Marquis de Lafayette and was the inspiration for Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem “The Lighthouse.”