Lessons from the Zombie Apocalypse

t's the Halloween season. I really enjoy this time of year. I have many pleasant memories of Halloween activities that have occurred in my life time. In fact, I still think back to a lock-in at my church, on a Friday night Halloween, watching Steven King movies on the church VCR.

During this time of year, I also enjoy sneaking in a few scary movies and TV shows. Even as an adult, I sneak these movies in. If my children ever see them, I would not get any sleep for at least a week. One genre of scary movies I enjoy is Zombie flicks. I am really into the Walking Dead TV series. Tracy can tell when I am watching this show when she hears the groaning and sundry of sounds that only Zombies make. She claims that she doesn't like the show, but she knows all the characters by their names. She also gets angry if I watch it without her.

I have enjoyed this series a lot. What I like the most are the questions the show raises about humanity. Mainly, the show often ponders the question: If there are no laws or government to enforce them, is humanity bound to a moral code. What makes things right or wrong? The show approaches this question often because society has fallen. The weight of the "Zombie Apocalypse" has shut down most government institutions. A vast majority of the population has died and the rest is in a constant struggle to stay alive and survive. The show continually comes back to the premise of a moral code and how it affects everyone differently. Basically, the show examines how we act when no one is looking.

As Christians, we are often faced with the same dilemma concerning our actions. While we are in church and participating in church activities it is easier to maintain a Christ-like demeanor. (Truth be told, I fail at being a Christ-like example in church as well). But when we enter our work week, do we act the same as we did in church? When that car cuts you off, do we shout something that would embarrass our grandmother, or do we slow down and let the car in front of us?

Social Media has become this lawless landscape as well. It has become too easy to say anything and not be responsible for the repercussions. There are no rules in chat rooms and on comment boards. As Christians, do we offer words of encouragement? Do we seek to understand or do we belittle others we do not agree with? Ultimately, we have to decide what type of person we want to be when there are no repercussions.

The good news is that Christ knows what it is like to be in the lawless wilderness. He wandered in the wilderness and lived on the outskirts of society. He knows how hard choices can be when "no one is looking." Yet, he still calls us to forgive and love others, no matter what. The good news is that because Christ knows how difficult this can be, he forgives us. God's grace allows us to walk through the wilderness without fear.

Hope your Halloween is a safe and happy one.

God bless,

Doyll