This is the Cape Aniva or Mys Aniva Lighthouse, aka Naka Shiretoko Saki. It was built by the Japanese in 1939 on a jagged rock just off the southeastern-most cape of Sakhalin island which was, at that time, divided between Japan and the USSR. Like all other lighthouses, it was originally manned by keepers for many years. But then at the end of World War II, the Soviets took full control of the island and installed a Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) so that it could run by itself on nuclear electricity. Unfortunately, due to the fall of communism in the 1990s, the lighthouse fell under mismanagement and it didn’t take long before it was completely abandoned and then ransacked by looters in search of scrap metal. The tower’s fittings, furnishing, and equipment were either stolen or destroyed. Even the reactors are said to have been breached. As a result, this sentinel of the sea has been deemed radioactive.
The image below shows a section of the lighthouse with the word “radiation” written in Russian. Perhaps a government official or someone else familiar with the dangers of the RTG wrote it to warn future explorers or marauders. The tower’s history still keeps most people away, especially those who respect radioactivity.
When I think of how this lighthouse, which was once built to attract and guide mariners to safety, eventually became something that people intentionally avoid at all cost, I wonder how many Christians (lighthouses for God) have become “radioactive” in their faith. Not in the sense that they drive away people, but in the sense that they effectively repel the evil forces of darkness which I call “soul looters.”
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “radioactive”? Perhaps you think of danger, contamination, or even death. How about when you hear the word “faith”? Maybe you think of God/Jesus, the Bible, or the concept of believing/trusting in something or someone of divine nature. And, what was your first thought when you read the title of my devotion?
If you search for the definition of radioactivity and research its cause and effects on living organisms, you will obviously conclude that it is dangerous and potentially fatal. But even though coming into contact with radioactive material can be life-threatening, it can also be very beneficial. For example, systemic radiation therapy uses radioactive substances to treat and thereby prolong the life of patients suffering from certain types of cancer. It’s interesting to note, however, that it does this by actually disrupting and stopping the growth (ending the life) of malignant cells.
By the same token, if you study the biblical definition of faith and how it plays out in the life of a Christian, you will conclude that it is not only beneficial but essential for spiritual as well as physical and emotional health. And like radiation, faith helps the believer to live victoriously by simply disrupting and stopping the growth of the malignant spiritual disease known as sin.
So, if we combine the two words defined above you get what I call…
Every believer who wants to victoriously live the abundant life that Jesus offers needs to develop and maintain a radioactive faith. Such faith does not only disrupt the enemy’s schemes, but it renders any and all of his weapons useless. Even when full-blown sin is met with radioactive faith, it immediately breaks apart, disappears, and stops from spreading. However, in order to produce, release, and effectively use such overcoming power, one must be constantly connected to the ultimate sin-defeating source, namely Jesus Christ and His word.
Radioactivity is without a doubt detrimental to human life. That is why those working with or around it must exercise extreme caution. It would behoove anyone who is aware of the consequences of radiation to stay as far away possible from any area that displays the universal warning sign.
Likewise, when the forces of darkness encounter Christians who are serious about their walk with God and are truly committed to spiritual disciplines they ought to be extremely cautious in approaching them. In fact, it would also behoove them to stay as far away possible from those who are not just Christians by name but who evidently exercise Radioactive Faith. If they don’t, Scripture clearly warns them of their imminent fate.
Prayer: Almighty God, help me to diligently commit to serving you and obeying your word. Increase my faith so that it may keep the light of your salvation shining through me while fending off and destroying the works of the enemy in my life. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.
Lighthouse Devotions 
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What a shame about the lighthouse.
I like the term radioactive faith. What a fab concept! I pray my faith would be strong enough to repel the enemy. Great post!
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A shame indeed and although the lighthouse is still deemed beautiful to aficionados like me, it does make you lament how and why it ended up in that condition. But, as you can see, it remains a conversation piece that inspires some to write about its history and others to use as an analogy for the works of the Holy Spirit! God bless you, dear sister. May the Lord increase your faith to the point it becomes “radioactive!” 🙂
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