Our Blog

Pumpkin Parables

Carving a pumpkin is a familiar fall favorite, a cherished tradition that brings warmth to the crisp autumn air. Each stroke of the carving knife brings to life a radiant masterpiece. The soft, amber glow spills from its intricately carved face, casting whimsical shadows reminiscent of laughter, togetherness, and the quiet magic of autumn.

Pumpkins have long been a quintessential hallmark of fall, gracing our porches and filling our kitchens with warmth and flavor. Beyond their seasonal appeal, pumpkins subtly depict symbolic tidings that parallel God’s plan. Grab a pumpkin spice latte and join us as we look closer at the insights these humble gourds can impart. 

Wise Little Squash

Parable 1: The Process of Carving

The process of carving a pumpkin is an intentional process that starts with selecting the right fruit and culminates in cutting away its thick skin. 

Once the pumpkin has been selected, its potential becomes perceptible as we carefully cut around the stem. With a sharp knife, we slice through the layers, exposing its ooey-gooey interior. 

Much like the protective shell of a pumpkin, we often build walls around ourselves—walls of fear, shame, or denial—that prevent us from facing the sticky things we’ve hidden deep inside. These barriers keep us from experiencing the fullness of God’s healing and power. God uses His Word to penetrate the layers of our lives, examining our hearts. We must be willing to invite Him to “cut” into the layers of our defenses, pride, and resistance, trusting Him to reveal the things within us that need to change.

Now it’s time to get our scoopers ready! Cleaning out the innards of the pumpkin is wildly messy, and can sometimes feel cumbersome and overwhelming. We need to reach inside to scoop out the slimy, stringy pulp sprinkled with seeds- requiring our hands to get dirty —literally and metaphorically.

Just as the pumpkin needs to be cleared out to fulfill its purpose, we too must allow God to empty us of the clutter that accumulates in our hearts and minds. To do so, we need to be willing to sift through the layers of our lives and challenge habits, unhealthy mindsets, and unresolved issues. Confronting sins, pride, fears, and distractions isn’t always easy, as we need to honestly face our inner darkness, acknowledging uncomfortable truths residing within us. 

Once the pumpkin is cleaned out and ready, it is time to carve a design into its surface. Each cut shapes the pumpkin into a reflection of the creator's vision. 

Like the design on the pumpkin, we are each uniquely crafted, with gifts, talents, and purposes that God has specifically designed for us. We must recognize that He is at work in our lives, and willingly allow Him to shape us, carving away the remnants of our old selves for His purpose. 

The pumpkin is nearly ready to be put on display,—we just need to place a candle inside. This empty, hollow cavity, which was once cluttered and chaotic, has become a vessel that can now radiate light from within. 

When God’s work is complete, His light fills the spaces once occupied by sin and fear, and we shine brightly with His love, hope, and grace for all to see. In His hands, we are transformed from a raw, unfinished state into something that reflects His glory.

Parable 2: Growing a Pumpkin

Growing a pumpkin requires time, care, and patience. From the moment a tiny seed has been planted in the soil, it must be diligently attended to, only reaching fruition when properly nurtured with water and sunlight in the right conditions. As the seed germinates, it gradually pushes through the earth and begins its upward journey, developing roots that anchor it and vines that stretch toward the sun. 

At times, gardeners face challenges, like pests, weather changes, or slow growth. Still, they consistently tend to their plants, doing all that they can to provide an environment where they can flourish. 

Comparably, faith begins as a small seed planted within our hearts that also requires a supportive environment to thrive. Rather than water and sunlight, we need to nurture our faith with prayer, community, and His Word.

Parable 3: Bearing Fruit

Rows of vibrant ripe, plump pumpkins scattered across the field are the pinnacle of months of patience, care, and persistence. Each pumpkin is a testament to the farmer’s hard work, a reward for the effort and care invested throughout the growing season. 

Just as a farmer expects a bountiful harvest from their crop, God expects that our lives produce spiritual fruit—visible evidence of His work within us. 

Like the pumpkins that flourish because they are attached to healthy vines, our ability to bear spiritual fruit depends entirely on remaining connected to God. As long as we nurture our relationship with Him, He will empower us to grow, flourish, and produce spiritual fruit, no matter the season we find ourselves in.

Overall

The first parable reminds us that we each carry a unique light and purpose, sculpted by the Master’s hand. Just as we carefully scrape out a pumpkin to prepare it for carving, we must be intentional about identifying and removing the sins, burdens, and distractions in our lives. This cleansing is not a passive process; it requires effort and self-reflection. However, when we invite God into this process, He begins to reveal the areas that need transformation and gives us the strength to let go of what hinders us. The more we allow Him to work within us, the more we are emptied of sin and filled with the goodness and glory of His light. As God shapes us, we become vessels that reflect His love, radiating His light to the world around us.

The developmental stages of a pumpkin echo the progress of our spiritual growth; requiring patience, consistent effort, and a willingness to stay connected to the source of our nourishment—Jesus Christ. As we cultivate our relationship with Him, we become more fruitful, maturing in our faith and bearing witness to His work in our lives.

Finally, the last parable emphasizes that when we prioritize our connection to Christ, we position ourselves to experience the fullness of life that He promises, leading to an abundant harvest of good works and spiritual fruit.

As you carve your pumpkins and celebrate the season, may you be inspired to embrace the lessons they offer and allow God’s light to shine brightly through you.

-Torrance Community Church of Christ

Break Free from the Chains of Comparison

In a world of constant connection, it’s easy to succumb to the pitfall of comparison. With a single scroll through social media, we can fall into the trap of measuring ourselves against the highlight reels of others—their success—their appearance—their lifestyle. Comparison is more than just a bad habit, it causes us to forget an important truth: our worth is defined by God. So, how do we break free from the chains of comparison and embrace our true worth? 

The Dangerous Diversion

Comparison is a subtle but imposing force that can easily creep into our lives, leading us down a path of envy, insecurity, and dissatisfaction. Measuring our lives against those of others places focus on what we lack rather than appreciating our uniqueness and what we’ve been blessed with; allowing feelings of inadequacy to overshadow our confidence. This preoccupation creates an endless cycle of dissatisfaction that can have severe consequences for our mental, emotional, and spiritual health. 

Recognizing these dangers is the first step in breaking free from the chains of comparison and reclaiming our worth in God’s eyes:

• Increases anxiety and stress as we strive to meet unrealistic standards.
• Supports a fixed mindset, limiting personal growth and self-acceptance.
• Promotes negative self-talk, leading to diminished self-worth.
• Breeds feelings of jealousy and resentment towards others’ successes.
• Diminishes our ability to experience joy and gratitude for our own lives.
• Creates a sense of isolation, causing us to withdraw from others out of fear of judgment or inadequacy. 
• Distracts us from God’s purpose for our lives, making us lose sight of our unique calling.
• Undermines our faith in God’s plan, causing us to question His goodness and love.
• Evokes feelings of spiritual dryness or disconnection from God as we seek validation in worldly comparisons.

Your Absolute Worth

Let these affirmations wash over you and ground you in the reality of your identity in Christ. You are a cherished child of God, loved unconditionally and chosen for a unique purpose.

The False Measurement of Success

Today success is measured by superficial criteria such as appearance, wealth, and social status. We’re bombarded with images of perfection and prosperity, leading us to seek external validation and believe that our worth is tied to our looks, the size of our bank accounts, or our positions of influence. This narrow definition of success can compel us to chase after fleeting achievements and accolades, causing us to lose sight of what truly matters. Equally, it encourages a perpetual need to strive for more and when we inevitably fall short of these lofty ideals we can feel pathetic, inferior, and empty. Essentially, we are allowing the opinions of others to dictate our self-worth. 

The exhausting pursuit for validation is merely a facade where we end up sacrificing our true selves and our purpose. God has a different standard for success, one that values character, faithfulness, and the condition of our hearts. True fulfillment comes from aligning our lives with God’s purpose. Once we focus on Him, we can recognize our value and find true satisfaction in His love and acceptance. 

Shatter the Shackles 

Breaking free from the cycle of comparison requires an intentional shift in focus. 

Suggestions for a shift:  

• Start each day by listing three things you are grateful for. Focusing on your blessings helps shift your perspective from what you lack to what you have.
• Set boundaries around your social media use. Consider taking breaks or unfollowing accounts that trigger negative emotions.
• Record your unique contributions and personal progress with a list of your strengths, talents, and achievements.
• Engage with friends and community members who uplift and encourage you. Build relationships that inspire you to grow rather than compete.
• Prioritize activities that promote mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being, such as prayer, meditation, exercise, and hobbies that bring you joy.
• Take time to discover and celebrate your talents and strengths. Invest in developing these gifts.
• Regularly affirm your worth by grounding yourself in God through prayer and Bible study. 

Embrace the beauty of your individuality, finding contentment in the knowledge that God is working all things together for your good, and allow His guidance to lead you toward fulfillment, free from the burdens of comparison.

Step Into Freedom

In Christ, we are no longer defined by the world’s standards or by what others think of us—we are new creations, transformed by His love and grace. Our identity is no longer tied to past mistakes, societal expectations, or external achievements. Once we accept our identity as beloved children of God, our worth is no longer dependent on the approval or opinions of others, and the pressure to compare ourselves fades. In Christ, we are enough. 

Learn to see yourself as God sees you:

• Remind yourself that you are chosen, loved, and redeemed by God by meditating on key scriptures that testify who you are in Christ.
• Refuse to let the world or others define your worth. Whenever negative or self-critical thoughts arise, counter them with the truth of God’s Word. 
• Ask God to help you see yourself through His eyes. Prayerfully seek His guidance in understanding your worth and revealing your true identity in Him.
• Be patient and give yourself grace as you learn to walk in the fullness of who God created you to be.
• Find fulfillment in Christ by serving others, not to gain their approval, but because you are already fully accepted by God.
• Appreciate the specific talents, skills, and passions God has given you. Recognize that your value is found in how God created you and the purpose He has for your life.
• Focus on what God has done in your life and thank Him for your unique story.

Go Forward with Confidence 

Find comfort and strength in knowing that God delights in you just as you are. Your worth is not found in the eyes of the world but in the heart of the One who created you. Take His truth to heart and allow it to reshape your understanding of yourself, and confidently walk in the freedom and joy that coincides with being His. 

-Torrance Community Church of Christ

Life Hacks Straight Out of the Bible

Life can be full of challenges. Fortunately, the Bible is a powerful guide that provides wisdom for confronting everyday stressors. Whether you’re facing stress, conflict, or temptation, Scripture can assist us through life’s ups and downs, helping us tackle daily challenges with faith, grace, and confidence.

Engaging with Difficult People

We’ve all encountered difficult people—an unreasonable boss, an inflexible family member, or a heedless friend. David’s relationship with King Saul is one of the Bible’s most well-known examples of dealing with a difficult person. Despite David’s loyalty and service to the king, Saul’s paranoia and jealousy turned him into a relentless adversary, and he even attempted to take David’s life multiple times. Yet, David refused to seek revenge or respond with anger. Instead, he showed remarkable restraint, choosing to trust God’s timing rather than force a resolution, even sparing Saul’s life twice when he had the chance to end their conflict.

David’s response emphasizes that, while we can’t control how others act, we can control our reactions. We can handle challenging people without letting conflict consume us by staying patient, seeking God’s wisdom, and maintaining a spirit of grace.

Managing Finances

In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus tells the story of a master who entrusts various amounts of money to his servants before leaving on a journey. Two of the servants invest wisely and double their amounts, while the third buries his in fear of losing it. The master rewards the first two for their stewardship and chastises the third for his lack of initiative and the waste of an opportunity.

This parable teaches us that responsible management of our resources is not just about avoiding waste, but also about using what we have to its fullest potential. Whether it’s our finances, time, or abilities— planning ahead, investing, and trusting God empowers us to avoid the pitfalls of fear and inaction, making the most of what we’ve been given.

Finding Peace Among Stress

In the story of Jesus calming the storm, the disciples find themselves in a boat as a fierce storm arises, threatening to capsize them. While the disciples panic, Jesus remains in a peaceful sleep. Fearful for their lives, they wake Him in desperation. With a simple command, the winds and waves are still, leaving the disciples in awe of His power.

This is a powerful reminder that even when life feels overwhelmingly turbulent, we can find peace by trusting in God’s presence and power. Incorporating stress-relief techniques and seeking God through prayer, enables us to navigate our stresses with a sense of calm and confidence, knowing that He is in control.

Maintaining Relationships 

After the loss of her husband and sons, Naomi urges her daughters-in-law to return to their own families. However, Ruth chooses to stay by Naomi’s side, declaring, “Where you go, I will go.” Ruth’s loyalty leads to a deep bond between the two, and eventually, they find a new beginning through their faithfulness to one another.

Ruth’s story teaches us that strong relationships are built on love, loyalty, and selflessness. By showing up for the people in our lives and offering consistent support, we can strengthen our bonds and create lasting, meaningful connections, just as Ruth did with Naomi.

Negating Temptations 

After fasting for 40 days, Jesus is approached by Satan, who tries to lure Him with food, power, and safety. Despite His hunger and isolation, Jesus resisted Satan’s scheme, responding by quoting scripture and standing firm in His faith. 

Jesus’ triumph over temptation reminds us that, though we all face trials, we too can overcome temptation by vigilantly remaining close to God through prayer and scripture. Being proactive and mindful of potential hurdles we can resist temptations and stay focused on living faithfully. 

When in Doubt

As we’ve seen in these stories, the Bible provides a wealth of practical guidance for everyday situations, proving that God’s counsel is always available if we seek it. So, no matter what life throws your way, remember to look to the Bible for insight, comfort, and direction— it’s a guide that never fails.

-Torrance Community Church of Christ