I know that the 31st of October is met each year with mixed feelings. Some love the time to remember the passing of Saints and those that have given their lives for the spread of the gospel...while others find it hard to get over how the world today focuses so much on evil and death. This year I walked down both paths. In mid-October, Matt and I were privileged with being sent on a marriage enrichment weekend. We traveled to Denver for a 4 day weekend. It was my first time in Colorado and my first time to see the beautiful Rocky Mountains. We had a wonderful get-a-way, but I confess it was somewhat tainted by what we believe to be a very scary movement among the youth of America. We happened to be staying right in the heart of downtown at the gathering point of the largest "Zombie Walk" in the U.S. The event was "to collect food for the homeless". To their credit it did look as if a great many can-goods and non-perishables were donated. However, the "festivities" were really nothing more than an excuse to embrace evil and dwell on death. Thousands gathered to act-out a "dooms-day" type scenario where zombies were trying to take over the world and space-age police were attempting to kill them in order to save mankind. Sadly, the zombies won because so many desired to come dressed as the dead rather than as the heroes. Not knowing how large the event was to be, Matt and I attempted to go out for lunch. We quickly found ourselves surrounded by the crowds decked-out in all manner of costume depicting grotesque forms of death and suffering. Were I a stronger person, I suppose it would have been a great opportunity to street witness and try to offer hope; however, in that moment I only wanted to escape. I was so overwhelmed by the presence of evil. Matt and I retreated to our hotel room and watched in sickening disbelief as the crowds grew and grew and the people reviled in the victory of the dead.
Ephesians 5:7-12 says,
"Don't participate in the things these people do. For though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, rebuke and expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret." These verses kept ringing in my ears as I tried to pray for the people of Denver. I know that the Bible also says, "
become all things to all men so that by all possible means we might save some?" 1 Corinthians 9:22 However, in this case, I do not believe that participation would have brought people to a saving knowledge of Christ.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 clearly says, "
For example, never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering. And do not let your people practice fortune-telling or sorcery, or allow them to interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. Anyone who does these things is an object of horror and disgust to the Lord." I believe that we must be very careful in how we are attempting to be salt and light in our communities. On the flip side, our family traveled to a small town in Mississippi for a week at the end of October. The town hosted a "fall festival" of sorts. The kids walked the streets to "trick-or-treat"; visit with neighbors and make the community aware of events and socials. They gave out candy to the children's hospital and at the "orphan" home. As we traveled around, we shook the hands of the Baptist pastor, the Methodist minister, the Mayor and countless doctors, teachers and local public servants & businessmen. It was truly a time of bonding and ministering to each other. To have "retreated" to our "hotel" and not particate would have been the missing of an opportunity to show love and compassion. I believe this is what the Bible means when is says in
Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." The question always comes down to, "Who is getting the glory from your actions?" In all things, may we be glorifing the Father.
"For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen." Romans 11:36 AT
I know that the 31st of October is met each year with mixed feelings. Some love the time to remember the passing of Saints and those that have given their lives for the spread of the gospel...while others find it hard to get over how the world today focuses so much on evil and death. This year I walked down both paths. In mid-October, Matt and I were privileged with being sent on a marriage enrichment weekend. We traveled to Denver for a 4 day weekend. It was my first time in Colorado and my first time to see the beautiful Rocky Mountains. We had a wonderful get-a-way, but I confess it was somewhat tainted by what we believe to be a very scary movement among the youth of America. We happened to be staying right in the heart of downtown at the gathering point of the largest "Zombie Walk" in the U.S. The event was "to collect food for the homeless". To their credit it did look as if a great many can-goods and non-perishables were donated. However, the "festivities" were really nothing more than an excuse to embrace evil and dwell on death. Thousands gathered to act-out a "dooms-day" type scenario where zombies were trying to take over the world and space-age police were attempting to kill them in order to save mankind. Sadly, the zombies won because so many desired to come dressed as the dead rather than as the heroes. Not knowing how large the event was to be, Matt and I attempted to go out for lunch. We quickly found ourselves surrounded by the crowds decked-out in all manner of costume depicting grotesque forms of death and suffering. Were I a stronger person, I suppose it would have been a great opportunity to street witness and try to offer hope; however, in that moment I only wanted to escape. I was so overwhelmed by the presence of evil. Matt and I retreated to our hotel room and watched in sickening disbelief as the crowds grew and grew and the people reviled in the victory of the dead. Ephesians 5:7-12 says, "Don't participate in the things these people do. For though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, rebuke and expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret." These verses kept ringing in my ears as I tried to pray for the people of Denver. I know that the Bible also says, "become all things to all men so that by all possible means we might save some?" 1 Corinthians 9:22 However, in this case, I do not believe that participation would have brought people to a saving knowledge of Christ. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 clearly says, "For example, never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering. And do not let your people practice fortune-telling or sorcery, or allow them to interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. Anyone who does these things is an object of horror and disgust to the Lord." I believe that we must be very careful in how we are attempting to be salt and light in our communities. On the flip side, our family traveled to a small town in Mississippi for a week at the end of October. The town hosted a "fall festival" of sorts. The kids walked the streets to "trick-or-treat"; visit with neighbors and make the community aware of events and socials. They gave out candy to the children's hospital and at the "orphan" home. As we traveled around, we shook the hands of the Baptist pastor, the Methodist minister, the Mayor and countless doctors, teachers and local public servants & businessmen. It was truly a time of bonding and ministering to each other. To have "retreated" to our "hotel" and not particate would have been the missing of an opportunity to show love and compassion. I believe this is what the Bible means when is says in Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." The question always comes down to, "Who is getting the glory from your actions?" In all things, may we be glorifing the Father. "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen." Romans 11:36 AT
