This weekend, Penny and I accompanied Buzz Lightyear and Repunzel (aka, JeeP & Jordan) in a tour d' force of pumpkin carving, trunk-or-treat candy gathering, and tonight, you guessed it, the grande finale' of neighborhood trick or treating will top off the experience.
Last night, as we waited in line for cotton candy, JeeP asked me why some people were dressed in less than happy attire. We talked for a bit, and it gave me the opportunity to begin explaining to my son that we are a people who celebrate life... the life that Jesus gives us.
It's surprising how quickly JeeP picked up on the difference. It didn't seem difficult for him at all. He ended the conversation with a simple and very understanding "hmm" and that was the end of it.
Sometimes as Christians, we run from the darkness like so many scared chickens; other times we dive into it like so much watered-down Christianity, and it doesn't seem like we are very proficient at simply being "light in the darkness."
What if we refused to celebrate death and darkness, but also refused to hide inside our homes until it's all over? What if we refused to act like so many nightmares on our street, but went out into the world unashamed and without hiding our identity as Christians... 'children of the Light' (Ephesians 5:8)?
What if we took Jesus into the darkness? What if we publicly celebrated life, and light, and freedom, and actually told our children the 'why' behind the 'what' when they asked us?
Tonight that's what we'll be doing.
Put away the blood, and the bones, and the scary stuff people... we are the children of God. Now let's get out there into a world of darkness and act like it!
I'll see you along the trick or treat trail!
In the peace of Christ,
Pastor John
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts and comments with me! I look forward to hearing how God is moving and shaping your life even as He is mine!