Well, ready or not HALLOWEEN is this Saturday. Yes, as a child I recall the great days of this month as we would enjoy hay rides, pick pumpkins, drink cider, go door to door begging for candy, having Mom check for hidden objects when we returned and it never failed. Every year, we would have some “older” actually very immature teens come by and get a kick out of stealing the candy bags of the younger crowd who labored all night to come home with nothing. My heart used to go out to those kids and I can still see them cry all the way home with nothing to show.

In elementary school, we always had HUGE parties for the holidays. Those were good times. I remember when Jason Colegrove in third grade dressed up as a Pittsburgh Steeler football player with the authentic helmet. Dana Walker dressed up like Miss Piggy but actually resembled a princess (she got my vote), Jason Hicks dressed like a Ho-Bo with a big, fat cigar and holes in his shoes. Then we had Shelly Tinsley and Doug Cunningham dressed up as “Donnie & Marie” and I am still 29 years later trying to figure out what my friend, Kenny Baird wore at the third grade party but bless his heart – I don’t think he ever knew what he was wearing either. LOL

The one thing about Halloween that I recall more than the candy and costumes is the “clown-like mask” that many of us wore and sadly, wear today as adults. You heard that classic song: “Bring in the Clowns.” This time last year, my friend and former Wrestling Champ and now Evangelist Nikita Koloff and I, spoke at a YOUTH EXPLOSION at Grace Brethren Church in Waldorf, MD. En route to speak that evening it dawned on me that many of those teens in attendance would be wearing a mask. The key was a “mask” not apparent to the naked eye but seen only by the Spirit of God.

As teens, we hide behind hundred dollar shoes, expensive clothes, designer jeans, pre-marital sex, alcohol abuse, desperately trying to “fit in” with the wrong crowd longing for acceptance, approval and attention at any expense. As teens, many are “looking for love in ALL the wrong places.” Rebelling against authority, disrespect for parents and very little regard to truth and could care less about consequences.

One of the most poignant and memorable scenes in Hollywood history was in “RETURN OF THE JEDI” in 1983, when a dying Darth Vader in his son’s, Luke’s lap removed the infamous jet black helmet. The irony was the badly, beaten Vader knew that if he removed his mask that his breathing would eventually cease. The beauty is that before he died he finally could look on his son with his own eyes before dying. Today, the opposite is true. The longer we as adults and adolescents continue to “wear masks” we elect to exist and not live and ultimately, are en route to a slow death. However, for those whom elect to be liberated, chase freedom and be all that God has created us to be we actually live and not die.

This Halloween, regardless if you promote going “door to door” or go out for pizza with the family and/or turn off all the lights and pray that no one rings your door or eggs your house – Remember this – that God makes no mistakes. He LOVES you and sent His only Son, Jesus to die for your sins. He whom was always King – became a kid. Talk about a costume. He took off His Royal robes and substituted them for your ripped rags. He left the perfect, palatial Palace of Heaven to come to the sin-sick society called Earth. Born of a virgin, placed in a crib and sentenced to die on a cross long after temporarily laying down His Crown. He, whom knew no sin – became sin. That was the costume that Jesus wore for Humanity (not just Halloween).

The King who was celebrated in Heaven knew (at best) mostly toleration on Earth. He was worshipped above and rejected below. The Bible notes: “He came to His own and His own received him not.” He was a Man of Sorrow, Suffering and Shame.” He was the “Rock of Ages” but the builders considered Him a rejected cornerstone. It has been said: “A prophet is with honor everywhere but his own town.” Today, it’s kinda like going to war and leaving “Rambo” out. Playing basketball and picking Michael Jordan last. It’s like promoting evangelism but telling Billy Graham to stay home. Electing to play golf and informing Tiger Woods that he is not that good. Teaching on charisma and stage presence and you tell Elvis Presley that he was not invited to audition. You get the point.

Jesus, was despised by Pharisees, yet, adored by plain-speaking people, made prostitutes know “true love” and constantly built others up privately while “haters” tried to tear Him down publicly. Jesus’ grief became our grace. His mercy became our merits, His death became our life, His sacrifice on the cross became our Subway to the Celestial City and because He was rejected for so long we could be accepted for all eternity. Today, if you are reading this and are still wearing a “mask” of some sort – the beauty is relax, realize who you are in Christ, remember that you don’t have to pretend any longer and “ready or not” the world will be better when the real “YOU” comes out.

BTW – that night that Nikita and I, spoke at the YOUTH EXPLOSION over 70 students got out of the bleachers and publicly made personal commitments to Christ! Go God!! When the mask comes off is the first step when the Master can come in.