Login » Sign Up! » Search

Shining Your Light Long After Halloween’s Over

Get the discussion questions for Shining Your Light Long After Halloween’s Over

 

Have you ever heard of the “Thin Places”?  No, I’m not referring to trendy “watch me sweat on the treadmill” locations like 24 Hour Fitness - although I have several places on my earth suit that could use some thinning out…

Thin Places is a concept that goes back 1500 years when an ancient people known as the Celts (not the basketball team) believed that during certain times of the year the veil that separated the physical and spiritual worlds were especially “thin.”  And during those occasions, the inhabitants of the Otherworld could pop into ours and generally make life interesting.  The “thinnest” night all year was October 31^st, so the Celts left vegetables outside their doors as offerings to the spirits, and also dressed up in costumes to disguise themselves from the Irish boogiemen.

Is any of this sounding familiar?

Yep - you guessed it…the basic approach we take to Halloween comes from the ancient belief that the physical and spiritual worlds sometimes connect more strongly than other times. And the addition of candy just makes the whole deal *sweeter* - right?

But what many people don’t know is that the ancient Celtic Christians took the superstitious Halloween concept of the thin places and applied to their walk with Christ.  They redefined “thin place” as a location that give us an opening into the magnificence and wonder of Jesus Christ. A thin place is where the veil that separates heaven and earth is lifted and one is able to receive a glimpse of the glory of God.

And you know what?  I think the Celtic Christians were on to something, because the Bible has many accounts of thin places like Moses and the burning bush, angelic visits, and the Holy of Holies in the Temple.

And here is one of my favorites:

Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them.

Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.”  Suddenly, when they looked around, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus with them. Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus (Mark 9:2-4; 7-8).

The disciples were lucky enough to witness Jesus in all His glory and hear the voice of the Father telling them to listen to His Son.  Talk about the ultimate thin place experience!

But here is the coolest part of all:

But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.  For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image (2 Corinthians 3:16-18).

Because we have the very presence of God living inside us as the Holy Spirit, we actually become a living, breathing “thin place”!  Think about it, there is no veil between the physical and spiritual in you, so whenever you enter a room or visit a friend or sit down in a class, you create space for God to reveal His presence and glory to everyone.

Each day is an opportunity for you to transform every place in your world into thin place so that lost people can see the light of Christ in you and turn to Him for forgiveness and life.

So after all the costumes are put away and you’ve had enough candy to rot out the teeth of a large dinosaur, remember that you are a walking thin place where the veil between the physical and spiritual is lifted. Don’t let anger or disappointment or unconfessed sin damper the radiance of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

And most importantly, don’t put on the masks of your old life so people can’t see the new creation that God has made you.  Go out in the power of the Holy Spirit for THE Cause of making disciples who make disciples, and make the prayer of the most famous Celtic Christian a part of your daily walk with Jesus:

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down,

Christ when I sit down,

Christ when I arise,

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in the eye of everyone who sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me. (St. Patrick)

 

Halloween provides a great opportunity to talk to people about spiritual things.  This week, bring up the truth about the Celtic belief about the “thin places” and pray for an open door to share the gospel as you live out being a walking thin place for Christ!

Gracious God, thank you for indwelling us with Your Spirit and giving us a chance to show people the glory of Jesus.  Please help us see with Your eyes this week and take what the world sees as dark and scary and use it to share the life giving message of the gospel.

Matthew 5:16. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

  For a better understanding of the Holy Spirit and what He does check the article “Ghost Stories.”