I went out in the pumpkin patch and found two pumpkins that I thought would be excellent size and shape for the designs I was planning on carving. They were larger pumpkins, so I was super excited for all of the seeds!!! When I got them inside, and cut out the top to begin gutting my pumpkin, I realized that the pumpkin had a strange odor. When I took a closer look I noticed that not only did it smell but there were hardly any seeds and what little seeds there were had turned a dark color. As I examined the guts a bit more I realized that the pumpkin had begun to rot. The guts had turned shades of orange, green and brown. The outside of the pumpkin looked healthy and orange, but the inside was a different story.
Likewise, I think that on most days when we look in the mirror, we appear healthy. We may want to change a few things but we look good. However, if someone was to cut into us they would find that we are rotting from the inside-out. Somehow a small seed of doubt or a lie sneaks its way into our heart and over time, begins to spread like a cancer. Sometimes opening up larger holes for uncertainties and regret to get in. Sin begins to grow internally, while on the outside everything still appears top notch.
The great thing about Christ is that He come strolling the pumpkin patch that we are sitting in and decides that we are the perfect size and shape for the design He sketched out, that is our lives. He picks us up, takes us inside. Begins to prepare us for His purpose, but in order to do that He must cut us open and remove all of the guts inside. Sometimes He pulls out guts that are still healthy but more often than not, He pulls out the guts that are orange, brown and green; our innermost thoughts and intentions that are sinful. The guts that have a putrid smell. He continues to hollow us out and scrape down the walls to make the shell workable for carving. Finally He is able to apply the template for His design, punch out the pattern and Carve away the unnecessary pieces.
As the pumpkin, we feel confused, hurt, torn, and outright mad that He would put us through something like that. But it isn't until He places that candle inside of us, lights that fire, and sets us on display that we realize we are here to shine His light for the whole world to see.
The process isn't easy, the removal of sin and decay sucks, but when the process is finished and the cinnamon is sprinkled in the lid, our putrid sent is gone and we shine on for His glory.
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"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praiseyour Father in heaven." ~ Matthew 5:14-16
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"All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." ~ John 1:3-5
A thousand times I've failed
Still your mercy remains
And If I stumble again
I'm caught in our grace
Everlasting, Your light will shine
When all else fails
Neverending, your glory goes
Beyond all fame
In my heart and my soul
I give You control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise
Become my embrace
To love You from the inside out
Everlasting, Your light will shine
When all else fails
Neverending, Your glory goes
Beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart
Is to bring You praise
From the inside out
Lord my soul cries out
Your will above all else
My purpose remains
The art of losing myself
In bringing You praise
Everlasting, Your light will shine
When all else fails
Neverending, your glory goes
Beyond all fame
