This is a teaching I have used before but it’s an analogy I like. Just something to remember.
We see a lot of pumpkins around that still have their yucky parts, we are all in a process of cleaning!
“Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. 18 God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others.
19 What we mean is that God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace. 20 We were sent to speak for Christ, and God is begging you to listen to our message. We speak for Christ and sincerely ask you to make peace with God.” II Corinthians 5:17-20 CEV
Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin. God picks you from the patch and washes all the dirt off of you. He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate and greed. He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.
We, all too often, look at ourselves and others and become critical. We aren’t what we want to be or should be. But when the Father looks at us, He sees us complete in Christ.
“I say this because all of God lives in Christ fully, even in his life on earth. 10 And because you belong to Christ you are complete, having everything you need. Christ is ruler over every other power and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10 ERV
Jesus didn’t give up on Peter who denied Him or Paul who killed Christians. He loved Zacchaeus and the woman who committed adultery. The thief on the cross next to Him went to Paradise without having ever been to church, been baptized or having given anything in the offering plate. Why? Each of them received God’s forgiveness for their sins.
When we accept the work of Jesus on the cross, we are forgiven and given a new life. We are all in a process of growing in that new life and we are being transformed, its a daily renewal.
So too all my fellow pumpkins, welcome! Smile big and let the light of God shine brightly.