Jeremiah
29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,”
says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a
future and a hope.”
Last night was Halloween and instead of
parading around neighborhoods searching for our favorite candy treats, we chose
to serve at our church’s yearly Hopefest event.
It is through this event where we offer not only food, fun and games, but also
the opportunity to experience hope.
In the day and age that we live in, many
people have lost all hope and are walking around bewildered and lost,
gravitating toward anything that will ease the pain. We as Christians have the
answer for them, and instead of sharing the liberating news, we stay bound up
within our four walls of the church hoarding hope, freedom and joy to
ourselves.
Many would say that we shouldn’t celebrate
Halloween because it’s a pagan holiday, but I would say that we’re not
celebrating Halloween, but rather taking advantage of a night where many are
already out and about looking for a something. Why not offer them hope along
with their candy? Jesus, often times, stepped into the midst of people’s
troubled lives and pagan traditions and offered his love and hope, how much
more should we do the same?
I so enjoyed seeing the joy on the adult’s
and children’s faces last night as I offered them a free hot dog, but even more
so, I understood that as all the people wandered the grounds of our church
property, the Holy Spirit had the opportunity to begin to soften hearts and
draw souls to him. One day when the veil is pulled back, we will be able to see
the eternal results that our little Hopefest
event made on the hearts of those who attended. After all, Jesus Christ
came to give each of us a hope and a future, even those dressed as ghouls and
goblins. They’re just waiting for someone to tell them!
Do you have hope?
Do you believe that Christ has a future for you? Take some time to ask him
about the future that he has for you. Understand that even in the midst of
turmoil and pain; he STILL has a hope and future for you!
Have
a great day!
