A No-Good Potato?

2 Corinthians 6:9-10 – Known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. (NIV)

A no-good potato? I must admit I have never seen a potato I didn't like. After looking at the one I had brought up from the fruit cellar, though, I found it was soft and had sprouted about five or six times. I thought I might save it by planting it outside in the garden.

After doing so, in a very short time, a green sprout appeared. Months later, it had become a massive plant. I kept looking at it, wondering what was going on under the soil. I suspected that the original potato would have died and the sprouts taken root. Still, I wondered how many new potatoes might have emerged from the life of that one no-good potato.

As I waited, I grew more excited about what I might find when I came to dig around the plant. I questioned myself: Could it be all plant on top with nothing below? The suspense, in no uncertain terms, was killing me.

Finally, the day came when I decided to dig where I had planted that old potato. It had multiplied many times over. Referring to today's Scripture, that old, no-good potato — that I had regarded as unknown, dying, and beaten — proved it could be of value, as it continued to live through others.

We can rejoice in our being poor, knowing that we might make others rich. Having nothing, we know through the example of that old, no-good potato, that we can be of value to others, for now is the day of our salvation. Together we can continue to multiply, living in Christ and producing for Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord, enable us in our waiting to understand how we grow. Help us to know that though we might describe ourselves as "no good", like the potato, once we die to self, we can become of greater value, living a more Christ-like life, multiplying and producing for You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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