Why God Designed Us as Light Eaters 🌞

I preached this message at Life Springs Christian Church — and I want to take you through what I shared about how God designed us as “light eaters.” We’ll explore the strange and wonderful ways sunlight sustains our bodies (and our souls), the science that points to a finely tuned creation, and how these truths point us back to Jesus, the true Light. Come with me from skate parks and MedCram videos to mitochondria and melatonin — and back to Scripture.

Outline

• Introduction & a COVID-era story
• Fine-tuning of Earth and the electromagnetic spectrum
• Mitochondria, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants
• Melatonin, infrared light, and surprising studies
• Circadian rhythms and practical light hygiene
• Spiritual parallels: Logos, walking in the light, and humility
• Practical takeaways and a closing prayer

Introduction: Sand, Screens, and a Little Nerdiness

Let me start with a weird COVID-era story: a city in California tried to enforce lockdowns by dumping 37 tons of sand on a skate park so teenagers couldn’t skate. Predictably, the kids turned it into a dirt-bike rally. That episode stuck with me because, even during pandemic panic, people had an instinct: sunlight and activity matter. We were made for light and motion.

I confess I got nerdy during COVID—watching medical briefings, reading up on vitamins, antioxidants, and red-light research. That curiosity led me deeper: the physical facts about light and life echo a glorious spiritual truth. As we look at the science, I’ll keep returning to Scripture because the natural often points to the spiritual.

Fine-Tuned Earth: Why Light Matters

Scientists who study the conditions for life often talk about fine-tuning. If the Earth were a little closer or farther from the Sun, if water behaved differently (for instance, if ice sank instead of floating), life as we know it would be impossible. Michael Denton calls humans “lighteaters.” We get our energy from the Sun—plants capture sunlight through photosynthesis, build sugars and fats, and that stored energy becomes the fuel for animal life and ultimately our cells.

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” — Ephesians 5:8

Our atmosphere selectively allows the narrow band of wavelengths that support photosynthesis and life. Shift that band left or right and either UV would sterilize the surface or greenhouse heating would make biochemistry impossible. That precise balance points to a created order designed to sustain us.

Mitochondria and ROS: Your Cellular Engines

Inside every cell are mitochondria—the little engines that burn the energy stored in fats and sugars. Like any engine, they produce heat and byproducts. One of the most important byproducts are reactive oxygen species (ROS): superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and other free radicals. Left unchecked, ROS create oxidative stress, a root cause linked to diabetes, dementia, many cancers, obesity, and chronic disease.

Your body has antioxidants to mop up ROS. You might think of vitamin C or glutathione, but the most powerful antioxidant in your body is melatonin.

Melatonin, Infrared Light, and New Discoveries

We typically think of melatonin as a sleep hormone made in the pineal gland. Newer research shows about 95% of our melatonin is produced inside mitochondria themselves. Even more surprising: mitochondrial melatonin production responds to infrared light.

Infrared penetrates tissue and bone better than some other wavelengths, and exposure to certain wavelengths of red/infrared light has measurable benefits:

• In one experiment, 15 minutes of red light applied to the back led to a 27% reduction in blood glucose and a corresponding rise in exhaled CO2.
• Elderly participants exposed to 3 minutes of red light in the morning averaged a 17% improvement in visual acuity that lasted about a week.
• A randomized clinical trial in the Netherlands (2019) showed that more hours of sunlight in the preceding week correlated with increased insulin sensitivity and reduced triglycerides.

Even dermatology groups have begun to revise blanket warnings about UV exposure, acknowledging benefits we once overlooked. Light isn’t merely cosmetic—it’s biological and deeply woven into how we function.

Circadian Rhythms: Your Internal Clock

Our bodies are wired to respond to light. We don’t just have rods and cones in our retinas for sight. There are specialized retinal cells that set circadian rhythms—telling our bodies when to produce melatonin and when to produce cortisol. Light in the morning triggers cortisol and wakefulness; darkness triggers melatonin and sleep readiness.

Disruption of circadian rhythm links to insulin resistance, inflammation, hormonal disruption, tumor development, and appetite regulation problems. Light therapy—timed bright light exposure in the morning—shows dramatic benefits for mood (including seasonal affective disorder and bipolar depression), wakefulness, and overall well-being. As one study put it, artificial dawn and morning retinal stimulation make it easier to get up and reduce sleep inertia.

Practical light-hygiene tips I follow and recommend

• Get bright morning light—go outside early if you can.
• Limit bright screens and blue light for 1–2 hours before bed; red or low-warm lighting is preferable after sunset.
• Prefer print or dim reading lights over e-readers at night—screens increase time to fall asleep and blunt morning alertness.
• Consider safe, short periods of red/infrared light exposure (when appropriate and guided by medical advice) to support mitochondrial health.

Spiritual Light: Logos, Truth, and Walking in the Light

All this physical truth mirrors spiritual truth. Jesus is the Logos—the Word—and He is the true Light. Light in Scripture is overwhelmingly symbolic of truth, life, and revelation. The same way morning light primes the body, time with God early in the day primes the soul.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” — John 14:6

Hebrews says mature believers have their senses exercised to discern good and evil. That spiritual discernment is like training your eyes to see true light from counterfeit brilliance. Satan can come as an “angel of light,” sounding wise with imprecise, sophistic language. Learn to recognize unclear, evasive phrases—“is related to,” “has to do with,” “seems like”—as warning signs of confusion. God is not the author of confusion; He calls us to clarity.

Come to the Light

Jesus warned: people who love darkness avoid light because it exposes their deeds. But exposure is not meant to shame and bury us—the goal is healing, repentance, and restoration. Letting God shine His light on our lives leads to confession, humility, and forgiveness.

“This is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light…” — John 3:19

Walking in the Light: Growth and Humility

We used to be darkness; now we are light in the Lord (Ephesians 5). Walking as children of light means practicing truth. A practical litmus test for spiritual growth: are there things you could do a year ago that you now can’t in good conscience? If so, that’s evidence of growth in grace. If not, maybe you’re stalled—God’s remedy is patient, instructive obedience: line upon line, precept upon precept.

Humility is being willing to be seen as you are. Don’t keep destructive secrets from those you’re one with; secrecy often hides what needs healing. God draws near to the humble and promises rescue from the dominion of darkness.

“Giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness…” — Colossians 1:12–13

Four Quick Practical Points

1. Get your morning light—make it a habit to receive natural daylight early in the day.
2. Limit bright/artificial screens for 1–2 hours before bed; use dim/red lighting at night.
3. Be a “lighteater”: devour Scripture. Jeremiah said, “When your words came, I ate them.” Let the Word be your daily nourishment.
4. Come to the light with humility—let God expose and heal; don’t hide in secrecy.

Conclusion and Prayer

God designed us to be sustained by light—physically through photosynthesis, mitochondria, melatonin, and circadian rhythms; and spiritually through Christ, the true Light. As you care for your body by honoring the natural rhythms of light and dark, remember to feed your soul with the Word. Walk in the light, let your deeds be seen, and allow God to bring healing where there’s darkness.

Let us pray together:

Heavenly Father, you are the giver of life and light. In your grace and love you call us from darkness into light. Help us walk in the light you provide—physically and spiritually. Open our understanding, give us humility to be seen, and heal those who are sick. May we shine your light to others, and give you thanks for your wisdom and provision. In Jesus’ name, Amen.