I read a story that hasn’t been far from my mind since I encountered it last week. The reference escapes me and I can’t be sure of the actual-factuals of the story yet I have been constantly evaluating my self, my habits, and the people/systems that I come in contact with in light of this parable about growth. The story goes like this:

There was once a pumpkin farmer. The farmer worked all season long preparing is fields for his crop. He planted the seeds, watered when necessary, and walked the field everyday removing debris and anything that might cause harm to his precious pumpkins. One day, while the pumpkins were still very small he came across a mason jar out in the field. Curious as to what might happen, he placed one of the pumpkins inside the jar to continue growing. Time went on and the pumpkins were now ready for the harvest. What a harvest it was! This year the farmer had grown some of the largest and healthiest pumpkins ever. However, there was one problem. When the farmer reached the pumpkin he had placed into the jar he was shocked by what had happened. Rather than growing large and cracking/destroying the jar, the pumpkin conformed to the inside of the jar. While it had been receiving the same nutrients and nurturing the other pumpkins had, the jar had become a prison for this little pumpkin. It was 1/3 the size of the others and its shape was that of a mason jar. Rather than overcoming the challenge, the poor pumpkin’s growth was stunted.

I have been haunted by the idea of being trapped inside a jar all week.

What is the jar that is trapping you or your business/church/school? It could be a personal jar of bad habits or laziness that has trapped you. It could be poor leadership (on your part or on the part of others) that keeps your business/church/school from achieving all that it should. It could be any number of factors that are hindering you and your team. The question is, are you strong enough to name the jar?

Name the jar, call out what’s keeping you from growing, and then smash that sucker to pieces. Good luck and God speed.