What kind of light are we called to be?
2019-11-14
Halloween was extra dark this year. It had been rainy and grey all day with wind warnings for the evening. Yet candy is candy, and the kids did not want to miss out on one of the most anticipated evenings of the year.
Out we went into the dark, bundled up.
I grew up enjoying the joy of Halloween night with its fun costumes and plethora of candy. Yet for a couple of years before having my own kids, I second-guessed everything about celebrating such a holiday. I had myself convinced that it was a weird one for Christians to participate in.
And it is, in some ways.
Yet as we had children who became cute toddlers dressed up in those cozy squishable animal costumes, my convictions began to waver.
Around this same time, we moved out of the city into a hamlet community. It stirred memories of my small-town childhood, where everyone seemed to know everyone. As an adult, I can look back and see that holidays brought the community together, whether it was going door-to-door singing Christmas carols or chiming “trick-or-treat”.
I can appreciate the value of that now.
And so, with convictions readjusted, we continue to costume up and head out into the dark to get our fill of candy bags.
This year, as we moved down dark leaf-strewn side streets, anticipating a violent downpour at any moment, each neighbour’s home beckoned to us with warm lights in the windows, porch lights on.
The warmth of community invited us further, home-by-home.
It struck me: Halloween evening is beautiful, despite its dark undertones of guts and gore.
What other day does the community open up and greet each other happily? Candy-high kids are recognizing each other in costumes; parents reliving their childhoods are chatting at the end of driveways; teens have left their gaming posts for a few short hours, acting like the kids they still are; neighbours are connecting.
And in those dark hours, warm welcoming lights bid each of us welcome.
It is a beautiful picture of what Jesus calls his followers to be in this dark hurting world. The prince of this world is still working his charm, yet the Prince of Life calls his own to be lights…to be a warm beacon of hope to all.
Warmth for the immigrant, the single parent, the post-abortive mom; warmth for the dear one holding the cardboard sign, for the inmate; warmth for those who look different than ourselves, and for those who go to a different house of worship.
God asked Job this rhetorical question: “Where is the way to the dwelling of light?”
In the darkness of this broken and pain-filled world, I am so thankful Jesus was clear about the way to the dwelling of light. In John 8 he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Paul speaks in Acts 26 of Christ bringing the message of light.
The way to the dwelling of light is found in Jesus. Therefore, as his followers, that light is now also found in us! Jesus turns the spotlight around and says in Matthew 5, “You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others…”
Jesus-followers aren’t called to be ugly glaring spotlights, scrutinizing and judging; we are called to be lights filled with hope, kindness, truth, patience, joy, gentleness and love.
Jesus calls us to be warm lights, inviting others to our Source of Light.
Imagine the impact we could have if weary earth travellers could look up and spot a warm glow in us as we cross paths. On the cold dark days of life, just like those neighbours’ lights along the street, we can dot this globe with welcoming warmth, inviting the weary to rest in his light.