Chosen Grace

Hi everyone! So this post has been on my mind for a while. But, now I feel it’s ready, so here it is. Enjoy!!!

I work at a summer camp and we go on tons of field trips every week. One week we went to the zoo, another week we went to a museum. But on one particular hot June day- we went to a farm.

The owner of the farm was friendly and the kids were loving it. He said “we’re going to pick some potatoes” and loaded us into his wagon. As we rode in the wagon, I looked around eagerly trying to spot the crop that we’d be picking. So when we stopped at a field that looked barren, I was pretty confused.

Now- I am not (by any means) a farmer- but I’ve watched my grandparents work in their garden summer after summer, so I was pretty familiar with the idea of ripe crops. However, this land that we were on seemed completely opposite of that! All is saw was brown dirt and tuffs of green sprouting from the ground. As I observed this, I couldn’t understand why he would lead us to this wilted field. And to be honest it didn’t make any sense at all.

But, when the owner of the farm got off of his tractor and kneeled down, he pulled the crop that looked wilted and began to dig. As soon as he dug into the ground- tons of redskin potatoes began to appear.

My mouth hit the floor and I was flabbergasted. The kids squealed in excitement and suddenly hit the dirt, pulling on the plant to dig for potatoes. I followed their lead and got on my knees to see what I could dig up.

As I began to dig up the potatoes, the Holy Spirit began to minister to me something wonderful. He said that in the same way the potato fields look deserted- some days that’s how life feels. But if you dig- you’ll see that I have indeed purposed you for this moment.

I pondered on this, God gave me this scripture to confirm His word.

“¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” — Philippians 4, ESV

I love the book of Philippians because Paul is such a wonderful writer- and in these verses I can clearly see his heart for the people of God.

You see, Paul knew what hardship was. I mean- he was imprisoned on several occasions all because he was spreading The Gospel. As I read these verses, I kept wondering “how can this man be so content when it seems like his life is in shambles?”.

As I thought about this, God revealed to me that it was Paul’s faith that kept him motivated. You see, Paul knew that he would be persecuted. He knew that following God’s plan would cost him a a lot- and yet he still went. But Paul still managed to find joy even in a jail cell, as he reminds us that we must see through faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7).

You see, Paul was faithful to each season God called him to. He truly understood that without Christ- he is nothing.

Honestly, this convicted me. I say that because if I’m being fully transparent with you all- I was frustrated with where God was leading me. You see, I had made my summer plans back in March. However, that all the things I’d planned had been going wrong and I couldn’t understand why.

But with revelation and discernment from the Holy Spirit, I began think like Paul. I began to trust that although it seemed like I was in a barren season, all I had to do was dig to see the purpose in where God had placed me.

As the days rolled by, I began to see the purpose for God changing my summer plans. I began to see Him working on my behalf- and I’m forever grateful for that.

Like Paul, I learned (and still am learning) to be content in every situation. Everyday is not peaches and cream, but I trust that God has a plan and purpose for even the hard days.

And the same thing applies to you.

You may be in a situation where it seems like God has placed you in impossible situations. You may feel like God has just dropped you off in the middle of nowhere. But you must stay the course. You must dig and see that there is still purpose and God is with you.

I’m a living testimony that even barren lands can bear fruit.

As I conclude this post, I want you guys to feel encouraged as you look at your own life. Everyday is not roses and sunshine- but God makes everything work for our good (Romans 8:28).

You have purpose where He has placed you. Don’t forget that.

With a new appreciation for picking potatoes,

Malaysia.

P.S- I have not finished eating the potatoes that I picked with my campers that day. I have an overflow. Once you start to dig in the place God has purposed you- you will have a plentiful harvest. Dig into God’s plan for your life- you will not be disappointed.