Cleaned to Shine

Tomorrow, October 26th, is National Pumpkin Day. Across the country, families will visit pumpkin patches, carve jack-o’-lanterns, bake pumpkin pies, and decorate their homes for fall. Carved pumpkins will be on porches, in windows, and all over social media—symbols of the cozy beauty of autumn.

I still remember the first time I carved a pumpkin. I thought it would be quick and easy. But the moment I lifted the lid, I realized it was anything but neat. As I reached inside to scoop out the pulp and seeds, I found myself covered in the sticky, stringy mess. It wasn’t pleasant, but without cleaning it out, you can’t make it a lantern. You can’t make it shine.

That’s how God works in our hearts. He reaches inside and begins to clear out the mess—the bitterness we’ve held onto, the pride that blinds us, the fears that paralyze us, the sins that weigh us down, the doubts that darken our spirit. It’s not always comfortable when God starts that cleaning process. But He does it to heal us, to make room for His Spirit.

After the pumpkin is cleaned and carved, it’s still not finished. It’s just an empty shell until a light is placed inside. Once the candle is lit, suddenly the pumpkin glows. Its purpose is revealed. That’s why David prayed in Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

When God removes the clutter of sin, He replaces it with His peace. When He clears away the bitterness, He fills that space with joy. When He lifts away our fear, He replaces it with confidence in His love. And just as a candle turns a pumpkin into a lantern, God’s light within us turns our lives into beacons for others.

The Holy Scripture says, “Shine among them like stars in the sky” ( Philippians 2:15). That’s our calling. God didn’t place His light in you so it would be hidden under fear, shame, or busyness. He put it there so others could find their way home—to Him.

So, let your light shine before others. Every smile you give, every prayer you offer, every moment of compassion becomes a small flame of grace in someone else’s night and makes this world a brighter place.