Steadfast & True
The Light Continues by Lin Stepp is a wonderful, warm, contemporary Christian novel that I adored. It is the fourth book in The Lighthouse Sisters series but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend reading the books in order for character progression and development, and for continuity of time.
Each book focuses on one of the Lighthouse sisters. It is the turn of Lila in this book. Lila has a close relationship with God. She draws close to Him in her quiet time. “Prayer… quiet, special time with God.” As we spend time with God, we build relationship with Him. “Time alone with God always brought her peace.”
When life presents a crossroads for us, we can trust God’s plans and turn to Him for guidance. “God… always has the best plans… the best vocation… is the one God intends exactly for that person.” God longs for us to follow in His footsteps but God is a gentleman and will never force His plans on us. “God will open the doors, but He won’t push you through them.” We all have free will and choice. Be sure to choose wisely. “God gave us all free will, but we each have to choose to live right.”
Some characters are haunted by events of the past. “I felt so dirty.” When things happen to us, we must remember that we were the innocent party and we have no right to feel guilty. Bring it all to Jesus for there is no condemnation in Him. He will heal and restore us. To heal needs kindness, understanding and love, which the close-knit community has in spades.
We learn that “the past doesn’t rule you.” We can visit the past but we must not live in it, or we will ruin our present and future.
We are not destined to repeat the sins of our fathers. “Don’t let the enemy torture you and make you think you’ll ever become like your father.” We must not listen to the lies of the enemy but tune into the life-affirming voice of God.
Within the novel we meet some wonderfully warm and welcoming characters who support each other. They preserve the past. The roots of the community go back several generations. It is a community that looks out for each other, offering support where needed. It is a community that offers a place to call home for all who visit.
Lin Stepp has produced another beautiful novel that reveals the steadfast love and the heart of God for His children.
God is the light that shines in the darkness. In Him, we can always find home if we just follow His light. Even on the darkest night, His light still shines. “Sometimes in a storm we can’t see the light clearly… but it’s always there.” God’s light will always guide us home.
In The Light Continues, Lin Stepp has written another beautiful novel that goes straight to the reader’s heart. How we long to live in a small-town community where love shines through.
I received a free copy from the author. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
JULIA WILSON
