Four years ago, the lights went out in my brain. For most of my life, I had a nearly infallible memory and could recall information with exceptional accuracy. Then, after a bout with COVID, my mind was fogged over. I struggled to remember details and couldn’t process information like I once did. Fear crept in. Would this be my new reality? Would my ability to think clearly ever return?

This went on for nearly two years. Then, one evening, I found myself at a small gathering of leaders at a local university. The university’s president welcomed us and instructed, “Acquaint yourself with the person next to you. Then, I’m going to ask you to introduce them to the group.”

Panic set in. Would I be able to remember even basic details? Could I string together someone else’s story when my mind was in a complete fog? But when it was my turn, something happened. I stood up, placed my hands on the shoulders of the man next to me, and instantly, the lights came back on. I effortlessly recalled the details of my new friend’s story. God was healing my mind, clearing the fog and beginning to restore the light into what had been a season of deep darkness. A renewed sense of peace and purpose settled in my heart.

Light as Order

In Hebrew, the word for light—Ohr (pronounced or)—doesn’t simply mean illumination; it means bringing order to chaos. We see this in Genesis 1:1-4:

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.”

God didn’t create light merely to brighten the world; He used it to bring form and purpose. When light enters, darkness and chaos depart. That’s exactly what I experienced when my mind was beginning to heal — my thoughts became clear again, and peace replaced confusion.

Called to Be Light

But light is more than just something God created; it’s something we’re called to be. Matthew 5:14-16 states:

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

We aren’t just called to live in God’s light; we’re called to reflect it. Our actions, words and attitudes should be a source of truth, hope and order in a world riddled with darkness. Every day, in every interaction, we have an opportunity to be light. This is particularly true when engaging with those who are struggling, whether it’s a co-worker, a customer on the phone or even a stranger navigating the storms of life.

Fighting the Counterfeit Light

We should remember that the enemy works relentlessly to distort the light. A story from the United States Lighthouse Society illustrates this reality. Along the eastern shores where no lighthouses existed, men known as “mooncussers” would ride on horseback, waving lights to lure ships toward the rocks. Sailors, mistaking these lights for a safe harbor, would run aground, and the mooncussers would plunder the wreckage. But when the true light—the moon—was out, their deception failed.

This is exactly how the enemy operates. He doesn’t throw us into total darkness immediately; he's sneaky. Instead, he distracts us with artificial light. He makes us believe we’re in safe waters when, in reality, we’re drifting toward destruction. In The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis describes it this way: “Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.”

When I lost my memory, I wasn’t just battling brain fog. I was slowly drifting toward the sidelines of life, distracted and disengaged. When I finally recognized how off course I had become, I knew I needed to be intentional and reengage in my calling as a husband, a father, a leader and a servant of Christ.

Bearing Fruit

So, what happens when we truly step into our calling as light? Jesus gives us a sobering example in Mark 11:12-14, where He curses a fig tree that appeared healthy but bore no fruit. The tree had the appearance of life, but it produced nothing of value. It withered and died. In the same way, we can maintain the facade of spiritual life—busy schedules, church involvement, Christian-sounding words—without bearing real fruit.

True light doesn’t just shine—it transforms. When we seek God and we’re rooted in His Word, our lives will overflow with His goodness. We don’t just reflect light; we become a floodlight that guides others toward Him. That’s the ultimate goal.

Stepping into the Light

Every day, we interact with people who are living in darkness, battling anxiety, financial struggles or family crises. They need light, and it’s our responsibility to bring it to them. That means:

• Being intentional—truly seeing and hearing people.
• Being present—physically and emotionally engaged.
• Being honest—offering truth even in difficult situations.
• Being kind and encouraging—reflecting Christ’s love in all we do.
• Listening for the Holy Spirit—responding to God’s promptings rather than rushing past them.

Jesus didn’t say being light was optional. He said, You are the light of the world. You are the salt of the earth. There is no middle ground. Either we illuminate the path to Christ, or we allow darkness to persist.

The enemy will always try to dim our light, to distract us with counterfeit illumination. But when we step fully into our calling—when we flick on the true light—darkness has no choice but to flee. That’s the power of being who we were created to be: bearers of God’s order, goodness and hope in a chaotic world.