Ejecting the Ewww

Yes, I went into my time machine to grab an image to accompany this blog. But dang, I miss our kiddo at this age! Anyway, it's October and what follows is my column for our October church newsletter.

God’s Harvest Work

Some of us sun-lovers are not so thrilled about the dropping temperatures and the arrival of fall. But we all appreciate the perks of October – beautiful autumn leaves and (naturally) Pumpkin Spice Lattes.

Of course, as the season of pumpkins arrives, many of us will find ourselves carving jack-o’-lanterns. With only adult children now, I still can recall. It begins with choosing a pumpkin, taking it home, and then doing the messy work—cutting it open and scooping out the inside. The slippery, slimy guts that many of us convince the next generation is so fun to touch and remove. Eww.

But of course, we know that only once the pumpkin has been cleaned out can it be shaped into something new and shining with light.

In many ways, that’s what God does with us. We come to Him carrying all kinds of “icky inside junk”—sin, guilt, shame, fears, and worries that weigh us down. Left alone, we might try to hide it or carry it, but it keeps us from becoming what God intends us to be.

Through Christ, God gently but firmly opens us up and removes all that “Eww.” He forgives our sins. He takes away the heaviness of guilt. He cleans out the things that darken our hearts. Then, like a carver shaping a pumpkin, He gives us new purpose and identity.

And He doesn’t stop there—He places His own light inside of us. Just as a candle (or battery-operated tea light these days) shining through a carved pumpkin glows for others to see, God’s Spirit within us shines out into the world. 

As Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

So, the next time you see a carved pumpkin glowing on a doorstep, remember: Some parent made a financial and time investment here. And, more importantly, God has done that same work in you. He has chosen you, cleaned you, and filled you with His light. 

May we shine brightly, pointing others to the One who makes all things new.