Frederick the Great of Prussia saw the potato’s potential to help feed his nation and lower the price of bread, but faced the challenge of overcoming the people’s prejudice against the plant. When he issued a 1774 order for his subjects to grow potatoes as protection against famine, the town of Kolberg replied: “The things have neither smell nor taste, not even the dogs will eat them, so what use are they to us?” Trying a less direct approach to encourage his subjects to begin planting potatoes, Frederick used a bit of reverse psychology: he planted a royal field of potato plants and stationed a heavy guard to protect this field from thieves. Nearby peasants naturally assumed that anything worth guarding was worth stealing, and so snuck into the field and snatched the plants for their home gardens. Check mate Frederick probably thought.
“So keep at your work, this faith and love rooted in Christ, exactly as I set it out for you. Guard this precious thing placed in your custody by the Holy Spirit who works in us.” — 2 Tim 1:13-14
Fredrick the Great had the vision and saw the value in the potato becoming a staple item but it took guarding it for others to see it. As a believer, I’m given the Holy Spirit but I’m not sure I’m valuing it nor protecting it as I should. Like the people of Prussia, I often walk through my day not fully understanding what is planted inside of me.
- The Spirit guides me into all truth (John 16:13).
- The Spirit transforms me into the image of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18).
- The Spirit leads me (Rom. 8:14; Gal. 5:18; Matt. 4:1; Luke 4:1).
- The Spirit teaches me to pray (Rom. 8:26-27; Jude 1:20).
- The Spirit produces in me the fruit or evidence of His work and presence (Gal. 5:22-23).
- The Spirit convicts me of my sin (John 16:8).
- The Spirit washes and renews me (Titus 3:5).
- The Spirit brings unity and oneness to the body (Eph. 4:3; 2:14-18).
- The Spirit is our guarantee and deposit of the future resurrection (2 Cor. 1:22; 2 Cor. 5:5).
- The Spirit reveals the deep things of God to me (1 Cor. 2:10).
- The Spirit dwells in me (Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 3:16; 2 Tim. 1:14; John 14:17).
- The Spirit gives me access to God the Father (Eph. 2:18).
- The Spirit gives me joy (1 Thess. 1:6).
- The Spirit comforts me (Acts 9:31).
Despite having access to all of this, I continue guarding my life, my “potato”, and living in my own strength. How about you? Are you guarding God’s Word, your faith, and valuing the Holy Spirit so others notice and want what you have?
Question |
What is the potato that you are guarding?