This Halloween, Turn the Lights On
As October 31 approaches, perhaps you have been mulling over the age-old debate: “To Halloween or to not Halloween?”
These days, some Christians choose not to participate in Halloween, but what if we looked at the holiday with a new perspective? What is we saw October 31 as an opportunity to form relationships with those in our community and practically extend Jesus's love to them?
Working in ministry on a college campus, you see many students’ schedules include multiple Bible studies and weekly Christian campus meetings. When combined with school responsibilities, it leaves no time to cultivate relationships with people who do not yet know Jesus.
And, if I am honest, that can be true of my own life. “Opting out” of engaging with the world God placed us in can happen because of fear or busyness. A lifestyle of isolation from the world around us and those who don't have a personal relationship with Jesus is not what God intended for His children.
Perhaps this Halloween is the perfect opportunity to respond selflessly in love by caring for our neighbors and fighting our tendency to isolate.
It is not just Halloween that can be scary, but reaching out can feel that way too.
God is calling us to reach out to people who may seem different than us, and may be using the things we have been warned against to do it. Sure, this has the potential to get messy and awkward, but engaging can lead to new relationships and change lives.
Here are some practical ideas for loving your neighbors this Halloween:
- Make your house a fun and inviting place to visit. Turn on the lights, and if you are feeling festive put some decorations up. Give out good candy and use each knock on the door as a chance to get to know the children behind the costumes and their parents.
- Throw a party before trick-or-treating. Parents and their children need sustenance to carry all that candy home.
- Attend someone else’s party. Ask the host what you can bring and stay late to help clean up. If you are nervous, do not do it alone. We are the body of Christ because God has created us to need each other, so take a friend or two with you.
- If you are on a college campus, partner with other groups. Or, show up to an event with some friends from your Bible study or campus ministry and be intentional about getting to know one or two new people.
- If you are a parent, look for ways to volunteer at your child’s school. Use the opportunity to get to know other parents or your child’s teachers.
- Bundle up with your loved ones and hand out cider or hot chocolate on your lawn. If you are feeling especially generous, cook up some hot dogs on the grill and get to know your neighbors as they pass by.
- Bake or buy some treats for the people at your office. Maybe sit with someone new over lunch to get to know them as you enjoy the pumpkin-flavored whatever filled with sugar you brought in.
For more encouragement on reach out to those in your life, check out this article: How to Bring Up God in Everyday Conversations.
