I’ve been busy. So much going on, it can be hard to take a few minutes to be still and reflect (more on that another day). But right now, I want to talk about Halloween. And this may be a hard pill to swallow for some people. You’ll have to forgive me.
Yesterday, I spent all day at a Main Street Halloween event. The entire day was geared to be family-friendly with trick-or-treating for the kids, a costume contest, pumpkin carving activities and more. As the day turned to night, there was a haunted house and masquerade ball with dancing in the shut down street. Sounds like a great day for family and friends to enjoy with other members of their community. And it was. The biggest turnout the town has ever had for this event. It was wonderful.
But there was one dark stain on the day…and I cannot stop thinking about it.
As young and old alike lined up to enter the festivities, a group of people chose to practice their first amendment right of free speech in the most unsavory way.
“You’re going to burn in hell…” they screamed at the tiny ballerina in her pink tutu and tiara. And at the little boy dressed up as his favorite Paw Patrol character. “You should be ashamed of yourselves,” they screamed at the parents.
To what end?
If you belong to a sect of Christianity that would do this to children out for a fun family day, the rest of this post is directed at you.
I strongly suggest you reevaluate scripture. Because you’re doing it wrong. It’s written throughout the Bible. Repeatedly. Often as the words of Jesus Himself.
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.”
Luke 6:37 (NLT)
What right do you have to scream at a little boy dressed as his favorite super hero and condemn him? Your actions make you no better than the Pharisees and religious leaders who tried to use an adulterous woman to ensnare Jesus in a trap of religious laws.
If Jesus had been standing there on the street, what would He have done?
Anyone who has studied the New Testament even just at a cursory level would most likely admit that Jesus would never engage in such behavior.
So why are you behaving that way? What makes you so special?
While deeply misguided, I can actually admit that you probably engaged in your actions with what you believe are good intentions. And I think you likely believe you were furthering the Word of God through your behavior.
The truth is that the opposite is true.
You frightened small children. Including small children who go to church, love Jesus, and say their prayers.
You tried to take judgment out of God’s hand and grasp it firmly in your own.
If there were those in the crowd who were trying to find the Lord, your actions very likely drove them away from the faith. Your example was NOT at all Christ-like.
You have done far more harm to the Kingdom of God than good in these actions.
The good news is that your sin of condemnation of small children is no worse in the eyes of our Lord and Savior than whatever sin you believe the same children committed. Repent and the Lord will forgive you.
It’s not hard to pray for someone’s salvation. It doesn’t require shaming and screaming in their faces, adult or child. All it takes is faith and prayer.
I will be praying for your soul.
Leave a Reply