Not long ago, we noticed something on our Orlando campus that had quietly changed.
The lighthouse that has stood on the campus of House of Hope for decades as a beacon of hope was dark. Its light had gone out. We were told it was an electrical issue at first. For a while, we told ourselves we’d get to it “soon.” But days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Eventually, the darkened lighthouse became the new normal.
The same can be true in our own lives.
A place in our hearts that once shone the light of His love grows dim. It can be something small, like a daily prayer time that was once a non-negotiable but has since been overshadowed by the busy schedule of a new job. It can be a highly developed patience that was taken for granted and slowly gave way to impatience and complaining in the face of new life challenges.
Slowly, without even realizing it, the light fades. We get busy. We get discouraged. And before we know it, we’ve grown used to the darkness.
Light has always been the central part of our story here at House of Hope. For over 40 years, our mission has been to guide at-risk teens and their families through difficult seasons, helping them find healing, safety, and a brighter future through the light of Jesus Christ.
The lighthouse on our campus has always symbolized that work:
- A Beacon of Hope: Just like a lighthouse guides ships safely through dangerous waters and dark nights, House of Hope guides at-risk teens and their families through difficult, uncertain seasons toward safety, healing, and a new future.
- A Symbol of God’s Light: The lighthouse represents the light of Christ shining in the darkness, offering direction, comfort, and clarity when life feels overwhelming or confusing.
- A Reminder of Purpose: It’s a physical and visual reminder on campus of the ministry’s mission: to be a steady, unchanging source of hope and guidance for those who feel lost.
When our founder, Sara Trollinger, recently passed away, it felt to many as if a light had gone out. And in this season of grief, the physical darkness of our lighthouse seemed to underscore the loss.
But God has a way of restoring what has been dimmed…
Today, the lighthouse shines again. Its beam cuts through the night, reminding us—and everyone who sees it—that hope is alive, and God’s light still leads the way.
Maybe you have a lighthouse in your own life that’s gone dark. Perhaps it is a dream you’ve let fizzle away or time invested in your marriage you’ve let go idle. Maybe you were once committed to the unconditional forgiveness of those who hurt you, but after what seemed like one too many hurts, you’ve fallen into bitterness and resentment.
Dear friend, you can turn that light back on.
Here are five simple ways to begin:
- Sit in the Quiet and Listen. Set aside 10 or 15 minutes to sit and listen. Ask the Lord to show you where your light has gone dim or dark.
- Journal What You Hear. You don’t have to be big on journaling to take this step. One or two sentences will do. The importance of doing this is to firmly acknowledge what you hear so you can begin to take action.
- Write a Plan of Action. Write down 3 things you can do to turn the light back on in your lighthouse in this area.
- Pray for Help. Success doesn’t come from our own efforts. We need help! God wants you to turn to Him. He is the source of all light. Ask Him to help you turn your lighthouse back on.
- Pursue Light. Darkness is the absence of light. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” To turn the light back on, get into the Word of God. Read it daily—even if it is only for 5 minutes. Focus on the Scriptures that relate to your “lighthouse” need.
The restored lighthouse on our campus is more than a building with a working bulb—it’s a picture of what God can do in every heart. Isaiah 60:20 says, “The LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.”
Let this be a season in your life, as it is at House of Hope, of renewal and a rebirth of hope, healing, purpose and pursuit of the grand promises God has for you.
Light can return. Purpose can be restored. And no matter how long it’s been dark, it’s never too late to shine again.
