Halloween Observations

THE REV. GARY L MOORE
GUEST COLUMNIST

Beggar’s night is coming soon. A time when kids dress up as their favorite super hero, villain or just some silly character.

I know there is controversy in the Christian realm whether we as believers should partake in what some may say is a pagan holiday. But, I am not here to discuss that.

Instead I want to explore Trick or Treat in a spiritual light. I believe we can gain insight about GOD through our every day events, including Trick or Treat. What can Trick or Treat possibly teach me about our walk with God? Can it reveal any truths?

I see several parallels: First, I see how kids put on a mask as they go from door-to-door, pretending to be someone else. How often do we put on a mask when we enter church or even when we seek God? The one, who can see me at my best, also sees me at my worst. He doesn’t want us to hide from him, nor does he want us to put on a mask, pretending to be someone else.

Instead I have discovered God wants me to be myself. He doesn’t want me to come to him as Pastor Moore, but as his child Gary. There is an old hymn of the church – Just as I am Thou wilt receive / Wilt welcome pardon cleanse relieve / Because Thy promise I believe / O Lamb of God I come I come

Secondly, I see how people perceive their prayer life, they call on God in much the same way those kids do when knocking on a door and speaking those three common words  “Trick or Treat?” How many times do we call on God wondering whether it will be Trick or Treat?

After all we don’t really know much about God, much less truly trust him. We come to his door and knock and just like those kids in childlike enthusiasm we wonder if God will really answer our prayer or trick us in some sovereign way. I mean how can we really know?

The apostle John knew and wrote in 1 John 5:14-15 “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

No I am not going to promise that you will have that new Lexus or BMW in your driveway. But I want to assure you that God listens and cares about what is going on in your life.

Jesus told his disciples in Luke 12:24 “Look at the ravens. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!”

God loves you so much. He wants to treat you to an abundant life. John 10:10 tells us, “ … I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” He doesn’t want to trick you, deceive or even dupe you. He wants you to have your best life possible.

So if you are going Trick or Treating with your kids, have fun. Enjoy the treats.

But when you knock on God’s door implore the prayer of Jabez. “And Jabez made a prayer to the God of Israel, saying, If only you would truly give me a blessing, and make wider the limits of my land, and let your hand be with me, and keep me from evil, so that I may not be troubled by it! And God gave him his desire.”

Reverend Gary Moore is the Senior Pastor of sure HOPE Christian Assembly in Middletown, Ohio.
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