A Lighthouse Without A Light

Ever since I was a child, I’ve been fascinated by the ocean. There’s something about the power and beauty of the sea that draws me in. Storms, ships, and lighthouses have always held a unique intrigue for me. I can’t count how many times I’ve joked with friends that every time I go to the beach, I hope for a storm. Why? So that I can stand in the waves, feeling the raw energy of nature, and scream at God. It’s not that I’m angry, but I find something therapeutic in that moment, a connection to the force of the world around me.

Last year, when Jami and I went on a cruise, I booked a room with a balcony. I knew I’d spend most of my time there, just staring out at the ocean. From the time I could read, I devoured books about pirates, storms, shipwrecks, and yes, lighthouses. In fact, I used to dream of being a lighthouse keeper—isolated on an island during a storm, with nothing but the sound of the waves crashing and a stack of books to keep me company. Every time I find myself near a large body of water, I seek out a lighthouse. And a few years ago, I had the chance to visit one in Menominee, Michigan, on Lake Michigan.

It was a beautiful, historic lighthouse, but as we walked down the pier towards it, something struck me—there was no light. The lighthouse was standing tall, its structure weathered by time and storms, but its purpose was not being fulfilled. It was a lighthouse without light. My mind started to ask a simple yet profound question: What is the point of a lighthouse without a light?

I began to look into the history of this lighthouse and discovered that it was originally built to guide ships safely into the river, with the light serving as a beacon. But over the years, the light was phased out. Ships no longer relied on it, as GPS systems and radios had become the navigational tools of the modern age. The light, once vital, was no longer necessary. The world had found a better, more convenient way to provide direction and safety. This got me thinking about the church—about how we, too, can easily become like a lighthouse without a light.

Jesus, in Matthew 5:13-16, calls His followers the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.” These two metaphors are not just poetic images; they are a directive for how we are to live out our faith. Jesus doesn’t just suggest that we be these things; He commands it. Salt and light are essential for the Christian life, and without them, we risk losing our purpose in the world.

The Sermon on the Mount, where these teachings are found, is a blueprint for Christian living. It’s where we find some of the most well-known and impactful teachings of Jesus. In fact, it’s so influential that its message echoes across religions and philosophies. These words serve as a guide for how we are to live as His disciples. Saint Augustine said that if you want to understand the highest morals of Christianity, you only need to look at this sermon. It’s the key to true righteousness, as Warren Wiersbe called it. And I believe it is the key to living a life that reflects the nature of Christ.

Jesus says that we are the salt of the earth. Salt, in ancient times, was a preservative. It was used to prevent decay and spoilage. In much the same way, we as Christians are called to preserve what is good, holy, and pure in the world. Our lives should be a preservative in a society that is rapidly decaying, morally and spiritually. We need to slow down the effects of corruption around us, preserving the truth of the gospel in a world that so desperately needs it.

But salt doesn’t just preserve—it adds flavor. Have you ever had fries with no salt? I’m someone who enjoys fries with a lot of salt. Without it, they’re bland, tasteless. We, as followers of Jesus, are meant to bring flavor to the world. We are called to stand out, to make the world a better place by the way we live. Our lives should enhance the lives of those around us. Just like salt enhances food, we are to enhance the lives of those who are lost, confused, and searching for meaning. We should make others “thirst” for righteousness, drawing them to God with the way we live.

I remember a time when I was passing through a town in Georgia, and I stopped at a Chick-fil-A. I ordered my usual—sandwich and fries—but when I bit into the fries, they were soggy and completely lacking in salt. I was disappointed because they were tasteless. I ended up throwing them away. As Christians, we can’t afford to be like that—bland, flavorless. If we lose our saltiness, we lose our purpose. If salt loses its flavor, it’s good for nothing. We must remain true to our calling, preserving the good and adding flavor to the world around us.

Jesus also calls us the light of the world. Just as He is the light, we are to reflect that light. In John 8:12, He says, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” As followers of Christ, we are meant to reflect His light to the world. He is the source of light; we are simply mirrors that reflect His glory.

Light is often associated with purity, truth, and goodness. In Genesis, when God created the heavens and the earth, the very first thing He did was say, “Let there be light.” Light is the beginning of creation, the first thing God made. And as Christians, we are called to reflect that light in a dark world. We are meant to be a city on a hill, visible to all, shining with the glory of God.

If a lighthouse without a light is useless, so too are we if we fail to reflect Christ’s light. Jesus didn’t light a candle and hide it under a bushel. He put it on a candlestick so that it would give light to all in the house. We are to let our light shine before others so that they may see our good works and glorify God in heaven.

When we stop reflecting the light of Christ, we lose our purpose. A lighthouse without a light doesn’t guide ships; it doesn’t fulfill its mission. Likewise, a Christian without Christ’s light doesn’t fulfill their purpose in the world. The world desperately needs the light that only Christ can provide. We are called to be His light, to reflect His truth, His love, and His righteousness in everything we do. And if we lose our light, we risk becoming irrelevant, just like that lighthouse in Menominee, standing tall but not fulfilling its calling.

In a world full of darkness, we need to shine brighter than ever before. We need to be the salt that preserves and flavors, the light that guides and illuminates. If we lose our light, we lose our purpose. But if we let our light shine, we will draw others to Christ. Let’s never forget that our calling is to be the light of the world, just as Christ is the light of our lives. May we always shine with His love, His truth, and His righteousness, so that others may come to know Him and glorify the Father in heaven.