Halloween, good or bad?

I thought I'd bring a reinforcement of what we discussed re the immorality that saturates our world.

This comes from The Edge weekly newsletter written by Ms. Kim. Let her know if you enjoyed this insight (ontheedge919@aol.com).

“Halloween – I love this holiday: the playful decorations, the tempting array of sugar-laden delights; the fanciful jack-o-lanterns all around! I have fond memories of trick-or-treating as a child. It was such a festive, exciting time when my world was safer than it is today and Halloween was all about having fun.

But times have changed. Our world has become darker and more evil than ever. We are inundated with one story after another of the profane antics of celebrities, new threats of terrorist plots, increasing tension as wars escalate around the world, the rise of addictions, the shocking greed of many in power, the development of new diseases for which we have no cure, the violent crimes against the weak, and the corruption of Hollywood with offensive immorality and deeds of darkness. The holiday itself has lost its playfulness and become obsessed with the occult, evil spirits, gruesome frights, and even demonic fascination.

This all came to mind recently while carving a pumpkin. I enjoy this activity! I spread out the newspapers and insert my knife into the flesh of the bright orange gourd. After I remove the stem, I sink my arm into the bowels of the pumpkin and am repulsed at the magnitude of mucky goo which fills the entire pumpkin. After carving the face, I select a candle and secure it firmly in the center of the pumpkin. I love lighting the pumpkin and displaying it for all to see.

But wait… Isn’t this what God did? He looked down on humanity and was repulsed by the evil he saw filling the entire world. He reached down deep into the mucky depths and placed a light in the center of our world in the form of a savior in human flesh. Jesus tells us, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’ (John 8:12).

Our world is indeed dark and evil. But by his love and grace, God ‘has rescued us from the dominion of darkness…’ (Colossians 1:13). God’s light provides us hope and salvation. When we accept God as our savior, we become children of God. “You are all sons of the light…We do not belong to the…darkness’ (1 Thessalonians 5:5).

What an encouragement this is! God chose not to let the darkness overpower and consume us, but to provide an everlasting light in our world. This heavenly light is our salvation, the source of all wisdom, knowledge of God’s glory, hope in the eternal, all-surpassing peace, divine strength, and loving direction for our lives.

Whew! Got all that? I cannot really wrap my mind around this concept; can you? God is amazing! And He’s crazy about you. Can you see the light? It’s there. Ask God to open your eyes so that you can see the light even in your deepest, darkest moments. It’s an amazing gift – and it’s for you.”

I like Kim's analogy. In the great pumpkin we live in, His hand is at work, caring for us, especially when we choose boldness to speak out His truth.

Janet

p.s. I'm getting ready to send my free "Splash of Inspiration" newsletter for November. I'd love to get it to you. Just zip a blank email to: splashofinspiration@getresponse.com.