Other pumpkins will submit to movement, to the unknown, to the great adventure of what’s out there, to the thrill of taking a risk. They will soon come under the hands of a creative teenager or babbling four-year old, or artsy-fartsy grown up. They will pick up triangle eyes, and pointy teeth and a jagged smile. Some will look rough and awkward, others a work of art. But each of these risk-taking pumpkins will soon shine a light from within to adorn a doorstep or deck, or window. The beautiful, glowing yellow light will not be from themselves, but rather a gentle light that was planted within them, and that light will shine forth and bring light, and beauty, warmth and smiles to all who encounter them. This too will be an evanescent yellow light. It will be brief, fleeting passing yellow light.
You and I are all evanescent. Realistically, in the big picture of life, we are all here for but a brief, very temporary, and short period of time. Our lives are transitory and fleeting. As I age, I come to know and feel the reality of this truth more deeply. People come and go in our lives. Accidents, illnesses, cancers, dementia, wars, floods, hurricanes, fires, Covids, and tragedies rob us of loved ones, friends, and family. This IS the reality of our lives on earth.
So, I ask you… are you allowing the beautiful light and love of God to shine in and through you to the world around you? Like the mighty cottonwoods, ash and poplars are you sharing the beauty of God’s love, forgiveness, and grace through your life? Are you allowing the gentle candle of Jesus to shine through your being to illuminate God’s light into a dark, hurting, and difficult world? Have you surrendered your life into the hands of a magnificent Creator and said, “Have your way with and in me? Do with me as you please! Create in me something useful for the world.” Or have you just settled for the same ol’, same ol’ life in the pumpkin patch?
Some of us will live to only 17, some to 38, some to 53, others maybe even make it to 100. But in the big scope of life here on planet earth, we are all only evanescent yellow.
So how will you live your fleeting life? For whom will you live your brief life? Will you just live for you? Or will you surrender to God and allow Him to burn his beautiful yellow light into this world?
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