Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: You're listening to Connections with Reese Pickard, a space for exploring how faith and real life come together.
Each episode will talk about the challenges and opportunities we face as we seek to connect more deeply with God, with each other, and with our Edmond community.
[00:00:17] Speaker B: I'm your host. My name is Reese Pickard, and I'm so glad that you're joining me with our very first episode.
So I'm really looking forward to how God is going to use this episode and many people's lives.
So let me just kind of tell you why this podcast was even created in the first place.
It's primarily to help us think about life in the way that God designed it. And I want to focus on a few things that really can just open up quite a bit of discussion.
I want to, through relationships, I want to talk about faith and just have open, honest conversations about challenges that we all face.
So whether you're single or married, raising kids, or even if you're just trying to make sense of the world around you, this podcast is for you.
So with that being said, we are in the month of October, and I am already enjoying these cooler mornings. And I'm sure as everyone else is waking up, getting ready to go to work, they're seeing that they're feeling the temperature drop.
I don't mind it right now. I think it's okay right now. Hopefully this winter will not be too brutal.
This winter. Nonetheless, I'm enjoying it right now.
For those who live in Edmond, Oklahoma, we know what October brings. Not only does it bring fall, but it also brings a very eventful time in October, and that's Halloween.
And so we're going to kick off this podcast, Connections, with a question that I believe is on a lot of people's minds, and I think it's a really good question.
And let me pose it this way.
Should Christians celebrate Halloween?
Now, some see Halloween as harmless fun.
It's just simply a night for kids to dress up, meet their neighbors, and sometimes eat way too much candy.
Others see it something darker.
In fact, some see it as being rooted in evil or spiritual or spiritual danger.
So the question is, which one is it?
Now, living in Edmond, you know that Halloween is a big deal, right?
You see neighborhoods, they light up. You see the decorations, kids running from house to house.
And families even gather together at events like Trunk or Treat, which, you know, our church is participating in this year. And it's a great turnout. We see quite a. We meet quite a lot of people, get to interact with a lot of different families.
So, you know, Halloween is really a night that brings a lot of people together.
But, you know, on the other side of that coin, it's also a night that raises questions, too.
You know, some Christians, they worry that if they participated in any shape, fashion, or form, that somehow they're inviting darkness into their homes.
Perhaps others feel judged just for letting their kids dress up as a superhero or a princess.
And, you know, I believe that both sides, honestly, are trying to do what they believe honors God.
You know, I can even say, personally speaking, I think it's. I always enjoy when my daughters put on a dress or a princess dress, and, you know, they do these little shows and whatever and what have you, and it's always a good time because it's cute, it's sometimes comical, and I don't see much of a difference of that taking place on one day opposed to another day.
But I don't think the question. Let me rephrase the question from the beginning.
It's not necessarily about candy or costumes.
I think this is a question if Christians should celebrate Halloween, it's about discernment.
How do people live. How do people of light live in a world that often celebrates darkness? And I think that really is the major question that's underneath it, especially whenever there's two different sides of the coin here.
So let's just take a quick look at how scripture.
Let's take a step back and look at the Scripture.
Ephesians 5:11. It says this. It says, take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
Now, hearing that, it is very clear we should not glorify or participate in any kind of evil.
Jesus also says in Matthew 5:14, he says, you are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
So if you look at both of those, we're not called just to avoid. We're not only called just to avoid darkness, but we're also called simultaneously to shine in it.
So maybe the question isn't simply, should we celebrate Halloween?
Perhaps the question is, how can we approach this day with wisdom and light?
Now, I think this really is a question pertaining to conscience.
Sometimes there are matters of conscience that have a potential of dividing people who, from their from each perspective, respectfully wants to do what is right. They want to do what they believe is pleasing to God and what's best for their family.
So with that in mind, if your conscience is burdened and it leads you to stay home, I would say that's okay.
I would never advise someone to get used to Ignoring their own conscience.
You know, if you feel as though you want to stay home and you don't want to participate in that, it is okay.
I would encourage you do it in faith and with peace.
However, on the other side, if you participate in it, there's a way you can do it with purpose.
You see, you don't have to celebrate darkness to be present in your own neighborhood. And I think a lot of people know that.
I think it's one thing to know that, but how we go about interacting with others who may not believe that or have the same, who may not, who may have a different conviction, it's very important how we interact with them, too.
You know, think about being present, being present in a neighborhood.
It really presents a great opportunity because Halloween does draw people in together over a night of just really innocent fun.
You see, you can shine your light in a neighborhood in just simply how you love people. There is something so remarkably profound about showing kindness, just the simplicity of. Of being generous or just by creating a safe and joyful environment.
Romans 14 says this.
Let me read this to you. It says, paul reminds us that each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.
And that's true here.
You see, the goal isn't to judge someone else's choices, but it's to make sure that whatever we do, we do it to the glory of God.
So I want to talk a little bit more as we make our way through this.
A practical application.
So the question is, how can we bring light into Halloween?
Here's a few simple ideas.
One, you can be intentional.
If a person, whether or not they participate or they stay at home, you can still be intentional.
You can pray.
If there's one thing I think that God's people need to do more of is pray.
You can pray for your neighbors as they come by.
And if you have a conviction that you believe that one ought not to participate in Halloween, well, I would say to you, pray not necessarily for that individual, but if you believe that if there are works of darkness that are taking place on that day, then pray for revival.
Pray that God changes hearts and God changes minds. Pray for genuine holy repentance. There's a way you can be intentional with either way that you look at this.
Another thing you can do of bringing light, a very simple thing that anybody can do is just be generous, Hand out the best candy on the block, and maybe just include a verse or an invite card that points to hope.
And lastly, be joyful. You know, there's a sense where we are called to we are called to repent, and we are called as Christians, I say we are called to repent.
We are called to walk a life of holiness and righteousness. And some people do it with a frown on their face.
Well, the Lord wants us to be joyful in all that we do.
And there's a sense where your home ought to reflect that warmth that not only does Christ dwell in your heart, but dwells also in your home.
So if your family chooses not to participate, you know it's equally fine.
You know, you can use that evening to, like I mentioned earlier, you can be intentional, but you can spend time with your family and pray for your community, or you can just serve in a completely entirely different way.
So it doesn't necessarily matter whether there's a pumpkin on your porch or not, or if you have decorations that are Halloween decorations.
What really, truly matters is not the way your house looks, but is there grace? Is there peace and grace that is present in your heart?
So, as I wrap up this first episode of Connections, remember these few things.
Faith is not lived out in isolation.
It's lived out in how we connect, whether first with God, with our families, that which is closest to us, our families with our neighbors, and our community around us.
And that's what this podcast is about.
It's about helping us find those meaningful connections in a world that often and sadly, feels disconnected.
[00:12:37] Speaker A: You've been listening to Connections with Reese Pickard. If today's conversation encouraged you, take a moment to, like, share and subscribe. And remember, connection starts right where you are with God, with one another, and with the city we call home.
