…“for the LORD does not see as mortals see; they look on the
outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7b (NRSVA)
After a relaxing, week-long summer vacation in Florida with their 10-year-old son, Robert and Angela Barry of Grove City, Ohio, left for the airport to return home. Just before they left, a young girl staying at the Barry’s hotel showed up at their room and gave their son a teddy bear as a gift. As they went through security at Orlando International Airport, the teddy bear went through the x-ray machine like the rest of their luggage, and the Barry’s learned that appearances can fool you.
A Transportation Security Administration worker noticed the outline of a gun inside the bear. Opening up the bear, airport security workers found a loaded .22 caliber handgun stuffed inside. Later reports indicated the gun was stolen in California a few years prior to showing up inside the teddy bear.
Today the calendar marks the observance of Halloween. A time when youngsters old and young dress up and play make-believe for the evening. Each donning masks of their favorite cartoon character, super hero or perhaps a pirate, angel, princess, or witch. These little imposters roam through the streets of our towns knocking on doors and proclaiming trick or treat as they fill their sacks with candy and goodies looted from their willing neighbors and friends. Many spend a great deal of time transforming their appearance to match the character they are attempting to imitate. As these costumed clad youngsters meander to and fro it is custom to attempt to determine the true identities of these little actors and actresses.
Professional character actors get paid large sums of money to portray a certain hero or heroine in a film or TV program. Costume designers and make-up artists transform these otherwise normal people into villains, monsters, aliens or whatever the program requires. About a month ago I was privileged to attend an off Broadway production of “The Lion King”. I was completely amazed at the costumes and puppetry used to tell the now classic ‘Disney’ story. The pageantry was mesmerizing, the animal portrayals where amazing! It was well worth the money spent to attend this performance.
On the stage and screen and the streets of our towns during Halloween, one expects to see costumed characters pretending to be someone they are not, but in the houses of worship each week, it is not appropriate to attend wearing masks and costumes. For the Lord is seeking a people who will worship Him in Spirit and in truth.
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