Random Thoughts on Halloween

Like it or not, October 31st comes around every year. For many Christians, it is a day they dread. They can’t wait to go home, turn off their porch light, lock up their doors, revel in their personal holiness while watching an unchurched world walk past our doors. They get some sort of satisfaction believing they are standing strong in their faith while criticizing three year olds dressed up like Willie on “Duck Dynasty.” But are they really missing one of the best opportunities to show a lost world the love of our Savior? How can a Christian redeem the holiday? Halloween has become big business. I heard this week Halloween is the second largest holiday behind Christmas. The candy sales on Halloween are second only to Easter and quickly catching up. The church has an amazing opportunity to be a light in a lost world. We must remember going door-to-door with our children dressed in a costume asking for candy doesn’t cause us to worship Satan any more than when a family opens Christmas presents, attends church for the only time of the year, and eats too much for lunch worships Christ. Worship is a matter of the heart. Remember, “this is the day (yes even October 31) the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). How can a Christian redeem the day for the glory of God? The world is coming to you. Be missional!! For 364 days you have been thinking of how you can reach your neighbors with the love of Jesus. Tonight your neighbors come to you! Halloween is the one day of the year the world comes to you. Welcome them. Be inviting. Be positive. Smile!! By all means don’t be cheap. Give quality candy (and you know if you hand out cheap candy). If you hand out a tract, please give them candy too. Create an environment where the children want to come back. Don’t criticize the young boy dressed as a zombie. Instead, have fun with him. Enjoy seeing his smile. Step back as if you were scared and help make a memory for the little child. Too often, Christians spend Halloween shouting to a lost world the 101 things we hate about Halloween. It is a little ironic, Christians talk more about Satan and bring more attention to him, than the average American celebrating Halloween. Allow Halloween to be a day we let people know what we are for. We are for families. We are for moms and dads spending quality time with their children. We are for families creating life-long memories. We love families and love seeing families laughing and playing together. For 99% of the people who take part in Halloween, the night means nothing more than an evening of family fun, fellowship, tons of candy, and a few upset stomachs. Redeem the day. Be prayerful. As families come to your home, pray for them. Ask the Spirit of God to work in them and love on them. Pray for God’s blessing upon their family and home. Ask God to open a door of opportunity. Ask Him for a chance to tell someone about the supremacy of the gospel. Once again, they are coming to you. Why in the world would we not take advantage of this opportunity? What would happen if you made some hot cider and/or coffee and offered it to the parents? What would happen if they would stay and talk with you for even a few seconds? Be kind tonight. Use Halloween as an opportunity to enjoy your family, spread the light of Christ, and impact and influence a very dark world. Have fun and be a blessing tonight to someone. Get creative. Be prayerful and missional! For the glory of God!