Challenged To The Core - Del Brixey

When I dropped my wife off at a Women’s Brunch I had no idea that I would become the “potato man”. Preparations were in full swing for a fashion show that day and ladies were busy decorating tables for the event. As I started to leave someone asked me for a favor that would change the course of my day. They desperately needed thirty five large baking potatoes to complete their table settings. Although that made absolutely no sense to me, I was soon on my way to the market to fulfill my mission. Life is like that; we make plans, but then opportunities cross our path to bless someone in need. Some “opportunities” are more important than others, however we are given a choice to face the challenge or miss the blessing of being a “potato man.” As I began to contemplate the “potato people” in my life I discovered that they all have some traits in common. They all…

Begin each day with the desire to please God. We can fill up our days with “good” things which may help others and accomplish our God given mission in life, but miss the “best” things that God may put on our agenda for the day. I didn’t get up in the morning wanting to be a “potato man” but God thought it was more important than anything else at that moment in time. “Potato people” start each day seeking to please God. They are more apt to see “interruptions” as “opportunities”.

Look for where God is working throughout the day. Henry Blackaby in his book “Experiencing God” teaches that we often waste time asking God to bless what we are doing versus finding out what God is doing and joining Him. “Potato people” see what God is doing around them throughout the day. God works in the ordinary circumstances of life as well as the extraordinary to touch hearts and lives. We just need to open our eyes to the spiritual opportunities around us every day. I’ve also noticed that the older a “potato person” gets, the more their eyes see the needs of others around them.

Encourage those around them who are hurting. I can’t tell you how many times a “potato person” has come along at just the right time in my life. Sometimes I have failed to let them know how much their words of encouragement meant to me, but I still know that God sent them. When God impresses upon us to help someone we need to follow-up on it right away, because we never know the impact that our words or actions may have in someone’s day.

Select others to teach them the “potato” secrets. One “potato person” can increase the ripple of their life here on earth by teaching others how to bless people as well. Everyone may not be used in the same way, but they will be used as they open up their lives to the “opportunities” around them. When a “potato person” invests their life in the life of someone else it produces a bounty beyond what they ever imagined. Remember it only takes a “spud” to get a vine growing (or something like that!).

Serve others as a way of life influenced by spiritual gifts. Not all “potato people” are the same. God has gifted every one of us with a unique set of talents and abilities, but all of them can be used to help others. I can’t meet everyone’s needs, but God will let me know who to help. However, “potato people” are willing to serve regardless of their gifting, if it’s apparent that God has ordained them to be used in the task at hand. Servants serve without asking questions up front because they know how to respond to God’s voice; obediently.

Well are you a “potato man” or a “potato woman? Check your pulse this week and see who you can bless. Perhaps God is speaking to you right now about an “opportunity”. Plan your course, but don’t miss the blessing that God has for you as you let Him “determine your steps”. If I can be a “potato man” so can you.