Hi there! My name is Meghan and I’d like to officially welcome you to The Beacon Road. You can read about my story here, but thought I would start off sharing the meaning behind The Beacon Road name.
THE
“A person, place, or thing that is unique; someone or something that is the best known or most important.”
T-h-e. Three small letters that can be so easily overlooked—I even overlooked them myself when choosing a name! Originally, I planned to call this site “Beacon Road” as it seemed more balanced and simple.
Turns out that domain name is taken… but I’d already grown to really like it. So the next closest alternative? Adding those 3 small letters to the beginning. It might sound minor or like a silly detail, but I genuinely didn’t like it as much as the original, which made it difficult to move forward when something so basic wasn’t what I hoped it would be. Yet there was little I could do to change something outside my control.
Isn’t that often what happens to us in life? We set our eyes—and heart—on xyz, convincing ourselves that nothing or no one will ever be as good. We’re all in. But then outside influences come into play, or difficult circumstances arise, and through one way or another, things end up not working out. We might start to question God’s plans for us or His faithfulness, feeling let down, frustrated, hurt, and unsure where to turn next.
But then… God steps in to replace it with something even better. Over time THE Beacon Road grew on me. As I reflected on it, those 3 letters I used to dread even made me smile, because of a distinct connection they share with the Christian faith.
Walking with God isn’t just any beacon of light we follow, or any road we journey down. As believers, we make a choice to surrender ourselves wholeheartedly to Jesus—THE one true God, who tells us He is THE Way, THE Truth, THE Life… and that no one can enter Heaven except through Him (John 14:6).
BEACON
“A light set up in a prominent position as a signal or celebration; A person who encourages or gives others hope; Something that warns, guides, illuminates, or inspires.”
One of the most common symbols in Christianity is Light. I’m sure you can name a small handful right now. Believers living in the light (1 John 1:7). Scripture being a lamp to our feet and light to our path (Psalm 119:105). Jesus as Light of the world and His followers having the light of life (John 8:12).
Light also represents spiritual vision or enlightenment. Anything that is illuminated pushes back dark, and what is unseen becomes visible. When we come into relationship with Jesus, no matter how dark our past or present may be, it ignites a spark of hope within us that points toward a bright future with Him. Things we were once in denial or unaware of become clearer. Empty promises and dark temptations of the world lose their appeal when contrasted against the brilliance of God’s Word.
Light doesn’t exist for Him, rather because of Him—for His children to orient themselves in an increasingly tumultuous world, to highlight miracles in everyday life, to feel the warmth of redemption and behold His glory and grace. Any glimmer of God’s presence in our human lives is a celebration that inspires us to share it with others, that they might know and be known by Him too.
“Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:15-16
This blog is all about finding God in the middle of life challenges, as well as in the simple, everyday moments. No matter what we face throughout our spiritual journey, whether big or small, God is with us to light the way forward.
ROAD
“A way leading from one place to another; A series of events that will lead to a particular outcome.”
A relationship with Jesus is often described as a walk of faith or symbolized by a journey. The terrain around us will change throughout different seasons and stages of life. There will be highs with stunning lookouts and lows we question if things will ever get better. The people we travel with will likely change over time. The types of paths and the directions we take will evolve.
We can’t ruminate on what’s behind us, or we might miss what is all around us in the present moment. In the same way, we don’t always know what’s just around the bend, so we can’t worry about what lies ahead either. Whatever situation we see (or imagine) looming ahead could change or disappear, or the road we’re on might veer completely around it. The journey of faith requires constant dependence on and trust in God to lead us through life.
≫ In what ways has God illuminated your faith walk? I’d love to hear in the comments below!
Read anything here that resonates? Save your favorite blog posts to Pinterest so others can find it too, and follow @thebeaconroad on Instagram for more bite sized content 🙂 Your support means so much—thank you for being here!
