I know this story broke back in January, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to comment on. You can read the article at: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,324579,00.html
Why does it surprise man to see an image of Jesus in a potato? Doesn’t the Bible say He is in all creation?
Romans 1:20 “For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”
Could it be that men have denied this for so long that God has to point it out more obviously so they will see and believe to the saving of their souls?
If God could create the potato, why could He not appear in one? Some say that does not seem like a way God would make Himself known. I’m sure people around Baalam said the same thing when he told them that God spoke to him through his donkey. (Numbers 22) They must have thought the guy was nuts. But I bet it made a believer out of Baalam!
Balaam recognized that he was hearing the voice of the living, almighty God. It is the presence of God that makes a difference in the unusual things we see and hear.
So, what did Baalam do about this talking donkey? Did he take it home and pamper it, never using the animal for menial labor again because this beast had done the extraordinary by speaking human speech? Hopefully, not.
When we recognize the presence of God, it should cause us to worship Him, not the thing He works through.
The article said that Pastor Renee Brewster froze the part of the potato with Jesus’ image in it, but I’m pretty sure she’s not worshipping it. It’s just a cool thing to have found. I’d be impressed to find one!
Here’s another thought about the potato in case it didn’t cross your mind when you looked at the photo. There would have been nothing newsworthy had Pastor Renee cut the potato at any other angle than the one she did!
How could she possibly have known ahead of time what direction to cut the potato? Even when you consider that most people will probably cut a potato in the long direction (that’s a personal theory), had she cut it off center of where she did, the image would not have resembled Christ on the cross at all.
There is an attribute of God called 'divine providence' - divine being “of God” and providence being “forethought; providential care; to make provision for a thing.” A definition of providential is, “peculiarly fortunate or appropriate; as if by divine intervention.” Isn’t it possible that God directed her thoughts or her very hands to cut the potato exactly as it needed to be cut?
Everyone will have their own answer for this situation, but I prefer to believe that the Creator of our universe exists and that He cares so much about mankind, that He will place His image in a common potato to get our attention, letting us know He is real, and that He is able to lead us in all things - even the mundane of making potato salad - by His Divine Providence if we will only listen to His voice.
