Jack-O-Lantern

I know that amoung Christians there are differences of view regarding the appropriateness of Halloween based on its history and how it has been celebrated over the years. This short devotion is in now way the forum to wade into that conversation with any depth. But regardless of how we might feel about it, for many of us it will be going on around us anyway and we will be faced with how we respond. In most cases the Jack-o-Lanterns around us will be doing little to intentionally point us to Jesus. I can’t help, however, but look to those lanterns glowing in the darkness around my neighbourhood and be reminded that we too are supposed to let our light shine (Matthew 5:16). We are to shine like stars in the darkness around us (Philippians 2:15) and to represent Jesus in all we do. So my challenge to all Christians, regardless of how you might view Halloween, is to be intentional about letting your light shine. For those of you who will be celebrating Halloween, how will you look different from everyone else around you? How will you use the opportunity to reach out to to others and represent Jesus in your community? For those of you whose convictions mean that you will not be celebrating Halloween, what will you be doing? As you choose not to engage in those things that you stand against, is there a way to share the things you do believe, in a positive and intentional way? For all of us, how might we let our light shine?

Shakespeare

At first it may seem odd to include a poet and playwright from the 15th/16th century, considered by many to be the greatest writer of the English language, and whose english is sometimes barely recognizable to our current english, in a series on pop culture! But consider for a moment the impact of his writings and their influence today. How many contemporary stories are based on his stories, how many modern phrases and figures of speech are traced to Shakespeare? Perhaps the greatest argument for including him in a discussion of pop culture is that almost every person who has attended high school in modern western society has had to study his work. Whether that was the beginning of a passion and love for literature and theatre, a cause for sleepless nights and nightmares or distaste and mockery, no one can deny the impact that Shakespeare continues to have on popular culture. Every year english classes and drama clubs in high schools around the world will try their hand at Shakespeare. Some will do great, others just fine and still again others will massacre a Shakespearian classic. They will not come close to representing the true depth of Shakespeare, nor can we judge the playwright solely on how well a high school student communicates his work. And yet no actor or scholar I know would argue that we should take Shakespeare out of schools because they don’t give a clear enough picture of his true genius.
I think that in some ways the church is like those high school english classes as they fumble through Shakespeare. We are left with the task of representing our master Jesus. The reality, however, is that even at our best, we will never really be able to give a true picture of the depth of Jesus’ love, compassion and greatness etc. The church after all is a hospital for sinners not a museum of saints. We will get it wrong, make huge mistakes, and at times do a poor job of representing Jesus. But just like we don’t take Shakespeare out of schools, we the church must keep trying, keep learning and keep growing. I would also add, to those who are not followers of Jesus, that if what you think and how you respond to Jesus is based solely on what you have seen from his followers, then please take a closer look. Grab a bible and read a gospel for a start. Take a closer look at Jesus himself before you make any final conclusions. Just like we would not judge Shakespeare solely on a high school english class, don’t let the mistakes of the church be an excuse not to take a closer look at Jesus himself.

Sock Monkey

Sock Monkeys have been around from as early as 1932 when ingenuity combined with the trade mark Red-Heel sock from the Nelson Knitting company. The company was acquired by Fox River Mills in 1992 and this company still produces red heeled socks and sock monkeys but with one small distinction. The heels on the older socks were not as uniformly oval, but had end points thus giving original sock monkeys a permanent smile. It is a look that works really well for a sock monkey. For humans however, a permanent smile would be incredibly shallow, superficial and inauthentic. There is absolutely no promise in life, and certainly not in scripture, that life will always be rosy, nor that we must face it with a grin. Scripture, however, does speak of something far deeper and more profound and that is joy. Joy, in a biblical sense, is not superficial. It is not just being happy. Joy is a deeper reality stemming from our relationship with the Lord, the fruit of a Spirit filled life, living out His will and purpose and trusting in His promises (and this only scratches the surface!) It is not simply an emotional response to our situation and circumstance but is often experienced despite them. It is also not a naive response that ignores reality or hides behind masks. Joy acknowledges reality while celebrating God’s character and His work and His promises. We may not have permanent smiles like a sock monkey, but we can have joy in all situations.

Jack-in-the-Box

I have just recently had the pleasure of watching my youngest daughter discover the Jack-in-the-Box. She was enjoying the pretty tune as my wife rotated the handle, lulling her into a sense of quiet and contentment when...POP!!, out jumped the Jack-in-the-Box. She was of course very startled at first, after which she began to laugh and insisted on trying it over and over. Life is a bit like that isn’t it? Things can be going along just fine, but then, seemingly out of nowhere, something pops up and takes us by complete surprise. Sometime the surprise is a delight, other times it is devastating. The reality is that we have no idea what tomorrow brings. James points out this reality in his letter when he warns us not to boast about tomorrow and reminds us that we “do not even know what will happen tomorrow.” (James 4:14) We may not know what is coming, but our Lord does. One amazing thing about an eternal God who stands outside of time and space is that there is nothing that is going to take our Lord by surprise. So when those surprises in life hit, that shake us to the core and instantly change the whole course of life we can turn to the One who saw it coming. He has eternal perspective and knows the whys and hows of each situation. We may not see it clearly, but He does. We can do as the author of Proverbs urges and “trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make you paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Pop Gun

I have just recently returned from a visit to an old fashioned general store that had a pop gun for sale in the toy section. I remember having one of these as a kid. It was great because every time you shot it off it made a great "pop" sound as the cork was forced from the barrel. The other great thing was that the cork was attached by a string and so it never got lost. It got me thinking about the words we use. How often are we in a frustrating situation and we just pop, letting words exit our lips that we would not ordinarily speak? Or maybe we are joking around and say something in jest that only after we hear it, and see the reaction, do we realize wasn't really funny after all. Our words, however, are not attached by a sting, and unlike the pop gun, once we release them we cannot get them back. How often I wish that I could take things that I say back! A rude comment that offends someone, a sarcastic joke that although meant in jest ends up hurting someone. It is amazing the things that we try to justify by claiming to be "just kidding." If we were to hold those words and comments up to a biblical standard we might hear Paul or Jesus saying "as clever as you think you are, your jokes aren't funny." How may times have I been impressed by my own quick wit? I think however, that I may be the only one that I impress.
Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians offers this challenge: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their need, that it might benefit those who listen." (Ephesians 4:29) It is a tough challenge indeed, but one well worth striving for. I love the fact that it does not just tell us what not to say, but gives us a clear place to re-direct our focus. Speak only that which is useful, that builds up and benefits those around us. If we lived this out then it would not matter that our words have no string and that we cannot get them back. We would not speak out of anger, frustration or with inconsiderate jesting.
I anticipate speaking a lot less than usual over this next week and into the future!