Dear Friends,
A constant question I have as a Christian is whether to withdraw in order to avoid participating in the evil of this world or whether to engage my community in the midst of things that are evil. I wrestle with this every year during Halloween festivities. I love kids, candy, and costumes. But so much of Halloween seems to be a celebration of darkness, evil, and death. An ongoing concern I have as a pastor is that Christians don't take seriously enough what a bad idea it is to celebrate these things. We would be wise not to forget that trick or treating has its origins in making offerings to evil spirits to prevent spirits from harming the offerer and Halloween costumes were meant to impersonate evil spirits so they would think people were fellow spirits.
At the same time, Jesus constantly urges his followers to be present in the world. One instance I have been thinking about this month is from Matt. 13:33 “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.” The yeast is very, very small. But when it is mixed in to large quantity of flour, it causes all of the dough to rise. Because of the yeast, the dough grows and grows just as the mustard seed in the preceding verse grows until it takes over the whole garden. How can I be like the yeast in my community if I turn off my lights on Halloween night and hide myself away like the lamp hidden under a bowl in Matt. 5:15?
So this year, I gathered with my neighbors in one of their garages for a potluck dinner while we passed out candy to neighborhood kids. I was a bit uncomfortable. I didn't say "Happy Halloween" or visit the haunted house across the street. I brought my own cup that din't have spooky skulls on it. But mostly, I just talked about life with my neighbors. And, at the end of the evening, I invited them to my house for a Christmas party next month. I don't have to endorse what others are doing to be present with them in the midst of it. And, the more I spend time with my neighbors, the more I will have the chance to show them the love and the light of Jesus.
Where might God be inviting you to connect more deeply with community even if it is messy and sometimes uncomfortable?
A prayer for today:
Jesus, teach me to be like the yeast that infects all the dough with the kingdom of God. Teach me to be like a flame uncovered that fills the whole house with light. Help me to go out and be present and active in the world even though I am not of it. Amen.
Love in Christ,
Michelle
