When the kids were younger and we were living in Denver, we’d make it a habit to go downtown during the Christmas parade. It is an incredible experience with all the lights, the floats, the food, and the people. All of downtown gets involved – The Performing Arts Center, Writer’s Square, Seville Square, Tabor Center, 16th Street Mall, Union Station – but the place that everyone comes to see is the county courthouse that sits just across the street from the capitol and right next to the Denver Art Museum.

One of the annoying things about the evening are all the vendors selling glow in the dark bracelets, necklaces, and wrist bands. They have those glow sticks that you can buy for like $5 a dozen, for $10 a piece. It’s ridiculous, and they prey upon weak-minded parents who can’t say ‘no’ to their kids. It’s simply a matter of attrition because after walking blocks and blocks in the cold with their kids, parents will buy just about anything to keep their kids happy and distracted from complaining.

One year, we happened to stumble across one guy who was selling light sabers, and parents were buying them like crazy. The glowstick crew was getting seriously hustled by this guy selling light sabers. As we got closer, we realized why. This guy was selling light sabers for the same price as the cheap glow sticks. It was a no brainer at that point.

And yes. We bought 3 light sabers.

What’s the point? Glad you asked…

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

There are always things in our life that tempt us, and they blink in front of us like a shiny, flashy toy. It glitters in the light and stirs something up in us that makes us think, I GOTTA HAVE THAT!! It could be anything really – new tv, new toy, new relationship. You can fill in the blank. But it’s a flash. It won’t last. It’s not LIGHT. It’s not constant like God is.

The point is that whatever God has for us is better than what is tempting us.

A light saber is better than a glow stick.

I know this illustration breaks down, as both are child’s toys that don’t last. But hear me out. Start asking that question when facing temptation. What is it that God has for me that will be better than this right here tempting me? Then starting saying YES to God. It’s not just about saying NO.

And I still hold to the truth that light sabers are better than glow sticks.