lightning, lightening, lighting

Lightning or lightning means the flashes of electricity in the sky during a storm--
Lightning hit the tree on the corner.
The man was struck by lightning, but survived.

Lightening or lightening is the present participle ( going on now) or gerund ( an action as if it were a thing ) form of lighten--
Her mother chastised her for lightening her hair.
A case on wheels is useful for lightening one's load.

Lighting or lighting (noun--thing or idea) means the set of lamps or fixtures that illuminate a room--
The decorator did a good job with the lighting.
The lighting was arranged to make everyone feel comfortable.
Lighting may also mean the effects of stage lamps, spoken of professionally--
The lighting for the new play was very dramatic.
Lighting or lighting is also the present participle of the verb ( action word ) "light"--
He was lighting his cigar.
She is lighting the candles.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The lightning made such a dramatic lightening in the sky, that it looked like stage lighting."

Note--to "light" or "alight" ( one word )  is an old-fashioned way to say to land on something--
It was so quiet that we could hear a bird lighting on a branch.
Light or alight may also mean to get down from something, such as a horse or a train--
He helped the old woman to alight from the train.
Not to be confused with "a light" ( two words ), meaning a lamp or a match--
Do you have a light?
Bring a light. It's dark in here.