Hiding in the basement or going out on a walk this halloween?

The Lord will keep
    your going out and your coming in
    from this time forth and forevermore.

Psalm 121:8 (ESV)

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has mixed feelings about what to do tonight. Do I hide in the basement and turn all my lights out? Do I light the firepit out front and be social? Do I just leave a bowl of chips or candy at the door? Do I go to the harvest party? Do I go trick or treating with the kids?

I know many of you have children with very sensitive hearts who really don’t enjoy this day. When your own kids are asking you to not go out again this year, you don’t really want to. Plus, you’re introverted. You’re tired. It’s been a long week anyways.

On the other hand, I know many of you love to dress up as much as I do. You recharge being around lots of people and love meeting neighbors and saying encouraging things to the sweet kiddies that come to your door. And you enjoy walking with your kids up and down the street and greeting neighbors. Besides, if you live in a colder climate, It may be the last time you see them all winter!

So what’s a girl to do?

I am not going to prescribe your activities.

I see the merit and value of being a light in the darkness.

I see the merit and value of protecting the eyes of your children from looking upon any vile thing.

(Both of those options are scripture based.)

I am not going to make you feel guilty about either choice you make. What I want to do is empower you. Like all things, the Lord is more concerned with your heart and your desire to say, “Not my will, but yours be done. So Lord, how do you want me to spend my time tonight?”

If you feel the nudge to go out tonight:

• Dress up in the armor of God. Don’t go into battle naked, alone, and without a sword. Cover yourself and your children in the blood of the Lamb.

• Go with intention. Walk in shoes fitted with the good news of the Gospel of Peace. We are not called to distractions. We are called to prayer.

• Be watchful, alert, and attentive. Ask for eyes to see and ears to hear. Ask for greater discernment. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom and insight in how to pray for your neighbors, the children you see, the family dynamics. And teach your children to be prayerful also.

• If you go out tonight, remember you’re not just Wonderwoman or Mrs. Incredible. You are a Holy Priesthood. Walk in that authority and prayerful calling.

If you feel the nudge to stay in tonight:

• Dress up in the armor of God. Don’t go into battle naked, alone, and without a sword. Cover yourself and your children in the blood of the Lamb.

• Stay with intention. We are not cowering in fear in the corner tonight. We are not vegging out, checking out from the world around us, as though we’re on spiritual vacation. We are not called to slumber. We are called to prayer.

• Be watchful, alert, and attentive. Ask for eyes to see and ears to hear. Ask for greater discernment. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom and insight in how to pray for your neighbors, the children you see, the family dynamics. And teach your children to be prayerful also.

• I’m going to just shoot straight with you here, because I care about you and I care about your witness… Please don’t put a message on your door condemning those who come to knock on it tonight. Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but to save it. So, sister, let’s show others the same grace He showed us. A gentle answer turns away wrath. Let’s be gentle. The eyes of small children are watching and reading. If you must say anything at all, speak words of blessing, not curses.

So whether you stay in or go out, you have a job to do tonight. You’re called to prayer. Walk in authority and in peace. Do not walk in fear or distraction. The Lord your God is with you WHEREVER you go.

“Now if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God and are careful to follow all His commandments I am giving you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. …

You will be blessed when you come in

and blessed when you go out.

The LORD will cause the enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you. They will march out against you in one direction but flee from you in seven.”

Deuteronomy 28:1, 6-7 (BSB)

YOUR TURN:

Alright friends. What are you up to tonight? And what’s one thing tugging on your heart to do differently tonight after reading this?

I know many of you, especially my friends from Africa, have a drastically different view on tonight. Please also feel free to share your perspective! It’s so good and healthy for us to hear other points of view!