Kids love carving pumpkins.
It’s such a thrill to cut the top open and see all the seeds inside. Even better, is sticking their hand in the pumpkin and pulling out piles of slimy seeds! It’s like for one night, all the normal rules of not getting messy, or not being able to use a knife, get thrown out the window. (Now brace yourself, I might be over spiritualizing this!)
Another reason I like the process of carving pumpkins is that it reminds me of something similar that Jesus does for people who love Him. When we open up and accept Jesus to be our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit comes into us. All of the seeds and pumpkin guts are like all of the sin and darkness that are in our hearts. So God cleans and gets rid of all of the sin and darkness in our lives, and He’s able to do this because Jesus died on the cross, paying the ultimate price for our sins.
The next step after cleaning out the pumpkin is to carve it. God puts a “new smile” on us as He gives us joy, and “new eyes” on us to see a different way of living than we had before. Then, when we’re done carving our pumpkin, we put a candle in it so it lights up. Once God comes into our heart, He puts the Holy Spirit inside of us, and our life lights up for all to see!
“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 praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
Okay, this seasonal metaphor may seem a little cheesy, but it’s a timely way to be reminded of the transformation that God’s done in our lives. Plus it’s a great way to explain the Gospel to kids! During this Halloween week, whenever you see carved pumpkins lit up on the porches, think of what God’s done in your life and the light that you’re meant to be in this dark world.
“You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” (Psalm 18:28)
