November 1, 2009| 2 Thessalonians 3:5

Halloween is a time for children to have a great time and gets all sorts of nice candy. They go to people’s houses and it is the only time of year it seems when people give gifts unconditionally to people they may never have met. Jesus Christ did that a lot during his life time. He gave of himself to all that asked for His love.

The interesting paradox surrounding Halloween is that at any other time of the year parents warn their children about not accepting candy from strangers. But yet Halloween is the exception to this rule as more often than not most of the candy received by children as they visit each house is from strangers. Kind of makes you think doesn’t it. Why is Halloween the exception?

Did Christ make any exceptions when it came to who He gave His love to? He gave his love freely. He didn’t say, “I am not going to pay any attention to that guy over there on that street corner that is singing his heart out on the banjo as people drop dollar bills into his banjo case, because I never met him before.” He didn’t say, “I am not going to give my love to that women running down the street, baby in hand, wishing her baby sitter had not cancelled at the last minute, as she makes her way to that all important job interview.” He didn’t say, “I am not going to share my caring ways to that little boy in his front yard whose toy wagon just lost a wheel and is crying over his skinned knee.” He loves all those people just as He loves you and me.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 (NAS) And may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.

Now I am not saying that a child should accept candy from a stranger, because that is not something that should happen. What I am trying to get across here is that unconditional love is hard to come by. It doesn’t grow on trees. It isn’t the profit you get from a Wall Street investment. It’s not the elation you get from a spare on a 7-10 split. It’s not even the happiness you receive when you move somewhere else that is better than the place you used to be at. It is the kind of feeling you get when you feel all is lost and a kind soul reaches out and grabs your heart by the bootstraps and gives you the kind of reality that makes you feel that someone cared enough to see your pain and give you a leg up.

1 Timothy 4:12 (NAS) Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

That doesn’t happen very often anymore. Too many people get so wrapped up in their own lives seeking happiness in all sorts of places never realizing that a simple prayer to one who loves them is all they really need.

It reminds me of Jell-o. You know that sweet tasting wiggly stuff that reminds your mouth of kid’s dreams. You can’t nail Jell-o to a tree. You can’t hear it sing or play the banjo. You can’t watch Jell-o win a football game. You can only see the brightly colored cubes as something nice and sweet and fun to play with as you did when you were a child, laughing loudly at the peculiarity of this treat and the fact that it was the only time your parents let you play with your food.

So what does Jell-o have to do with unconditional love? It sits there on your plate in such an inviting way, not expecting anything in return. You can play with it and it doesn’t complain. It doesn’t get upset when it falls off the table and into a happy puppy’s waiting mouth. You can throw it across the room and it doesn’t cry out in pain as it falls apart staining the living room couch in the process.

That’s the wonderful thing about a relationship with Jesus Christ. No matter how much we ignore Him. No matter how much we dismiss Him from our minds in our daily lives. No matter how much time we spend away from Him, He is always there to help us with the booboo on our knee, the anger over the irresponsible baby sitter, and the misfortune over the busted string on our banjo.

He is there for you now, waiting to give you the sweetest of candy which is His love. Just open up that pillowcase and watch as all the love candy He gives you fills it up. Give Him some time and he will fill you up with His love.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the love you give me unconditionally every day of my life. Give me the insight and the ocassion to give that love to others in a way that glorifies you. Thank you for all your many blessings. Amen.

Benediction: Now, Lord, Bless us in our daily lives. Help us to smell the roses whenever possible, to shine our light on those less fortunate than us, and lead us in the path we should go. For you are the light that keeps our path well lit. Help us to follow it, until we meet you, in a land where milk and honey abound, a place where our most wonderful dreams are fulfilled. Amen.

Hi, my name is Bryan, a messenger of hope who would love to hear from you. God Bless.

© 2009 Bryan Hill

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