Christians Are Like Pumpkins – A Modern Day Parable

Why God Created You to Be a Jack-O-Lantern.

Picture this: It’s Halloween night. The sky is that deep, dark, inky black, and a chilly wind rattles the dry leaves. On porches up and down the street, skeletons dangle and fake cobwebs stretch. For some, especially little ones, it can feel more than just a little… spooky. A little dark.

But then, you see it.

A warm, golden glow. A friendly face, smiling out from the shadows. A jack-o-lantern. It doesn’t fight the darkness; it just shines right in the middle of it. It’s a beacon of light.

Friend, that’s not just a pumpkin. That’s you. That’s us.

The old saying “Christians are like pumpkins” is usually a sweet fall lesson. But I really think that God has something bigger for us to see in this metaphor. This idea isn’t just about how we’re made; it’s about why we’re made.

Each of us wasn’t just carved to be a pretty decoration for a sunny autumn day. We were carved to be jack-o-lanterns for Halloween night. We were made to shine in the dark.

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Let’s take a closer look at the “Christians Are Like Pumpkins” metaphor

You Were Picked for a Purpose

That pumpkin didn’t just appear on the porch. It was selected. It was chosen specifically for Halloween.

In exactly the same way, you were chosen. Not by accident, but on purpose.

God looked at the world and knew it needed His light, especially on the nights that feel the darkest. He picked you to be one of His lights. You are not a random accident in a field; you are a chosen lantern for a specific mission.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

Getting Opened Up is Uncomfortable (But Necessary!)

Carving a pumpkin is violent. A knife slices open its top. If it could feel, it would protest! But that cut is the only way the carver can get inside to do the important work.

Sometimes, God’s work in our lives feels just as uncomfortable. He allows circumstances that crack us open, that pry off our lid of self-reliance. Why? It’s not to hurt us. It’s the only way He can get inside to clean us out and fill us up.

Often, being uncomfortable is the necessary first step to becoming a light-bearer.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

If you’re unsure, this simple 7-day devotional will help you pray, reflect, and make a thoughtful decision – for yourself and your family.

Includes full-color and printer-friendly versions. Works in note-taking apps too!

The Big Clean-Out

Ever cleaned out a jack-o-lantern? It’s messy and even a little gross! It is slimy, seedy, and stringy. It all has to go. Every last bit.

This is where God does His holy scooping. He rolls up His sleeves and helps us get rid of the internal gunk we all have – the fear, the pride, the old hurts, the selfishness. He doesn’t just shine a light around the mess; He meticulously cleans it out. He makes us new from the inside so we’re ready to hold His pure, bright light.

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10 (NIV)

Carving a Welcoming Face

A clean, empty gourd is still pretty anonymous. So, the carver gives it a face. A smile. Bright eyes.

Once God has cleaned us out, He starts carving His own character into us. He shapes us to be people of joy, kindness, and love. People with a “face” that looks welcoming and safe in a world that can often seem scary and closed off. Our job is to be the house on the block with the friendly, well-lit pumpkin – a place where people feel drawn to the light.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

The Light That Changes Everything

You can do all the other steps, but without this step, you just have a hollowed-out vegetable. So… you light the candle.

Whoosh.

Transformation.

That’s the moment it becomes a jack-o-lantern. The light transforms it from a passive decoration and hollowed-out vegetable into a bright light shining in the darkness!

And that’s the whole point. You are a jack-o-lantern. The light inside you isn’t your own positivity or willpower. It’s Jesus. And your highest calling is to carry His light into the world’s Halloween nights – into the moments of fear, uncertainty, and darkness – and shine. Not to hide from the darkness, but to illuminate it.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

The Pumpkin Prayer

As you get ready for the Halloween season, here’s a prayer to make this idea more personal:

Dear God, my Master Carver,
This Halloween, I want to shine for you.
Please open me up – even when it’s uncomfortable – so I can let you in.
Scoop out all my fear and pride; make me clean and ready to hold your light.
Carve your kindness onto my heart so my face reflects your love.
 And finally, Light me up! Fill me with your Spirit so I can blaze a trail of hope in the darkness.
Let people see your warmth in me and find their way home.
Amen.

So this year, when you see a jack-o-lantern grinning bravely into the night, remember your calling. You weren’t made for the safety of the pumpkin patch. You were chosen, carved, and filled with light for such a time as this. Now go be a light in the darkness.