The Lighthouse
Finding Light in the Darkest Storms
The Moment You Realize the Light Is Gone
Imagine you’re out on a stormy sea. Alone on your small vessel, waves crashing, winds howling, your hands gripping the wheel as you search for anything that tells you where you are. The land isn’t far, but in the darkness, it feels like a world away.
You scan the horizon, looking for the familiar beacon of the lighthouse, the one you’ve always trusted to guide you safely back to shore. But tonight, something is different. The light is gone.
Photo by Kyle Johnson on Unsplash
And suddenly, you feel it—lost, uncertain, vulnerable. The ocean stretches endlessly before you, and what was once a predictable routine has become a desperate search for direction. The one thing meant to provide certainty, safety, and guidance is missing.
The Lighthouse as More Than Just a Structure
Most of us will never actually use a lighthouse for its intended purpose. It’s not every day we’re out at sea, relying on its beam to guide us safely home. And yet, we all know what a lighthouse stands for. It’s a symbol of hope. A steady, unwavering presence. A promise that even in the darkest storms, there is still a way forward..
That’s why lighthouses have found their way into our language, our stories, and our way of understanding the world. They remind us that no matter how rough the waters get, there is always something constant, something we can trust. Or at least, there should be.
But what happens when that guiding light goes out? What happens when the very thing you relied on—whether it’s a belief, a system, or a sense of stability—disappears?
When the Light Goes Dark
It’s a strange feeling, isn’t it? To realize that what you once considered reliable is no longer there. Maybe you’ve felt it in your own life—watching institutions change, watching people you once trusted shift in ways you never expected, watching the world move in directions that leave you questioning everything.
At that moment, you must decide: Do you drift aimlessly, waiting for someone to relight the beacon? Do you panic and let the waves take you wherever they will? Or do you take a deep breath, steady your course, and find a new way forward?
Becoming the Light
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
The truth is, we don’t have to wait for someone else to bring back the light. We can become our own beacon.
Those who once found themselves lost in the dark carried some of history's brightest, most steadfast lights. They didn’t wait for directions. They found the courage to create their path and, in doing so, helped others find their way, too.
It’s not about pretending the storm isn’t real. It’s about knowing that, even in the storm, we can navigate through it. Even when the sky is black and the waves relentless, we can hold steady, shine, and guide ourselves and others to safer shores.
Trust That the Light Will Return
“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.”
Desmond Tutu
Just because you can’t see the lighthouse doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Even the brightest beacon can’t be seen until you’ve navigated close enough.
This is where faith comes in. Trust in the journey, even when the way forward isn’t clear. Trust that the light will return, even if you can’t see it yet. Trust that you don’t have to be rescued—you can be your source of light.
The World Needs More Beacons
“At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.”
Albert Schweitzer
We live in a time when the world doesn’t need more people searching for the lighthouse—it needs more people willing to become one.
So if you feel lost, know this: You are not alone. The storm will not last forever. The darkness will not consume you. And if you can find the strength to shine—even just a little—you might help someone else find their way, too.
Be the light the world is searching for.
Talk soon…
G