The picture is of an explosive wave hitting a lighthouse showing a keeper at the door about to be engulfed by a titanic wave.  It has become one of the most recognizable lighthouse photographs in the world. One stormy day in 1989, the famous French photographer, Jean Guichard took a helicopter and approached this lighthouse off the coast of Brittany, France.  He knew that the waves were pounding the structure which was positioned offshore.

The Keeper of the lighthouse had been living in fear of death and at one point had taken refuge in the lantern room of the tower.  In desperation he sent a radio dispatch to the mainland requesting a rescue helicopter.  As Jean Guichard’s helicopter approached the lighthouse, he was unaware that the keepers were waiting for a rescue helicopter. Guichard was simply there to take photographs of the waves hitting the structure.

The keeper heard the sound of the helicopter and naturally assumed it was the rescue helicopter.  He opened the lower door of the structure and looking up realized it was not the rescue chopper. He also heard the sound of a gigantic wave that was engulfing the tower.  He immediately turned and pulled the door closed behind him. Had he not acted quickly, he certainly would have been killed.

While the drama was playing out below, Jean Guichard was busy taking photographs as fast as he could click the camera and captured on film the most dramatic action shots ever taken at a lighthouse.  Since those days the lighthouse has now been automated and no longer has a lighthouse keeper.

When I first saw the picture it reminded me of the verse in Proverbs 18:10

“The Name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe.”

Waves often come into our lives. Sometimes we do not walk in wisdom which causes problems to form and break on us.  Sometimes the culture brings waves, sometimes people around us cause waves. Regardless of the source, the place of refuge is the same. When the storms of life bring the waves we can run to the Lord.  He has provided us with many different names which show forth not only His character, but also the activities of His power among those who walk with Him.

When the problems of life seem to overwhelm us , we can run to the Lord to take refuge in the character and power revealed in the different names of our Lord.