Churchill, Manitoba in Canada lies in close proximity to the world's largest denning area for polar bears. In late fall, after spending the summer on land, the bears head back to the waters of Hudson Bay to hunt seals. By the end of October most of the twenty holding pens in the town's "bear jail" are already filled with occupants awaiting release. To protect children going door to door on Halloween night, conservation officers and game wardens are out on patrol armed with dart guns to tranquilize any bears wandering into town. A helicopter does surveillance over the area. There are local volunteers with two-way radios patrol in cars. Police constables carry shotguns to frighten away any furry, white marauders. And while noise may help, authorities agree that the most effective deterrent against prowling bears is light! Each year, since 1969, more than a dozen fire trucks, ambulances, and police cruisers are positioned around the perimeter of Churchill with their bright lights flashing into the night.

Halloween is considered to be one of the spiritually darkest nights of the year. But it doesn't have to be. The world has made this season to be scary and dark, but we, who are children of God, are called to be Light. We have the power, in Jesus' name, to light up even the darkest corners. The devil is prowling around every day, not just on Halloween, looking to cause harm in the darkness. But the devil is blinded when he comes in contact with God's shining Light. We are called to be that Light. We are called to position ourselves around the perimeter of our homes and our communities and shine our Light as brightly as we can because that Light is the most effective deterrent against the attacks of our enemy!

When the anxieties of this world threaten our peace of mind, the best protection is to walk in the Light that is Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:7) It's advice that is equally effective whether we're dealing with polar bears or the powers of darkness!

Suggested Prayer: Thank you, Father God, that you are the Light of this world. As long as I am walking in You, I have the power to shine Your Light even in the darkest corners. Thank you for your Son whose death on the cross brings us eternal Hope and Light in an otherwise dark world. Help me take forth that Light wherever I go! In Jesus' name, Amen.

1.    1 Peter 5:8 (CSB).

Today's Encounter was written by: Veronica B.