Pastor Tim’s Blog

THE LESSON OF A ROTTEN POTATO

I recently had a spiritual epiphany while confronting a smelly mess in our kitchen. I had been disturbed because there was an awful odor coming from the pantry, and I was convinced it was surely something that my wife had discarded in the trash can (that might better have been put through the garbage disposal!). And when the nuances of something smelling bad became more than I could stand, I did what seemed to be the logical thing—I took out the trash…assuming I had resolved the problem. However, the stench didn’t leave, and in an “ah-ha!” moment, I realized that it hadn’t been the trash can at all! I noticed a bag of potatoes on the floor of the pantry, and when I stooped down to examine them, I realized that I had discovered the culprit of the smell—a rotten potato! Even an Idaho potato is nasty when it becomes rotten! I quickly worked to remove the culprit of the smell, used disinfectant to clean up the floor, and rested, knowing that all was well with the world once again!

And then I got to thinking about that rotten potato. How often does a negative attitude or critical spirit or ungodly behavior become a stench within the Church—the Body of Believers, the followers of Jesus Christ. Scripture speaks of “the aroma of Christ”—and it’s what we are to be to the world. But we all know times when “a Christian” has in reality become a stench! It’s like just one rotten potato that stinks up the whole place! It’s ugly. It’s nasty!

And I found myself praying, “Lord, don’t let me be like that rotten potato!…Don’t let my life be a stench to the church or to the world!” There’s an old song we used to sing that voices the prayer, “Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me…all His wonderful passion and purity…” What a contrast—from a rotten potato to “the beauty of Jesus”!

May God help you and I to never become like the rotten potato—in our attitudes or actions or dispositions! I believe God’s Word not only calls us to something better, but, through the Holy Spirit, our Heavenly Father provides all we need to become “the aroma of Christ.” May our wonderful Lord help each of us on this journey!