At any given time during the 9th century you could find Vikings sailing the open sea by night, with no compass, depending on a single light to guide them safely to their destination. These unusual explorers were known for using the North Star to guide them. In the darkest of nights they could look up and know, with certainty, their direction and that they were on the way to their final destination. The Bible tells us that we have an immutable light to follow: it is Jesus, the light of the world (Heb 13:8; John 9:5). Each of us has experienced dark hours, days, months, and even years. So what do we do? We, like those rough and salty sailors of old, keep our eyes on the Light that guides us safely to our final destination. “…And let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” Heb 12:1b-2a. As we consider the dark nights that our suffering brothers and sisters around the world are going through for their faith, let us pray for them knowing that we are all looking unto the same guiding light: Jesus.