By Benescke Janse van Rensburg

When the renowned photographer, Kevin Abosch, took the picture known as #345 of an Irish potato, I am sure he never, in his wildest dreams, thought that an unknown businessman from Europe would a few weeks later see the picture of the potato (taken against a plain black background) and decided to buy it for €1 million (nearly R18 million). When asked if he ever thought the potato would be so valuable, Kevin smiled and said he could not even remember the moment he took the picture, as he photographed many other potatoes that day.

In a supermarket a single potato would cost us an estimated R3. However, in the right hands, a R3 potato may become R18 million worth.

Even though God created us with enormous potential, we sometimes, due to wrong decisions, disappointments or degrading words of people who are supposed to love us, feel as if we are only worth R3. This is where the enemy wants to keep us. God, on the other hand, has no restrictions on what He can and wants to do in our lives when we become obedient instruments in His hands.

Look at Moses. He stuttered, yet God used him to lead the Israelites out of slavery. Gideon was a frightened soldier with an inferiority complex, but God used him to lead the Israelites in a major battle. David was a shepherd, and the youngest of all his brothers, but God chose to appoint him king of Israel, because his heart was right.  Rahab was a prostitute, but God used her to save the spies lives in Jericho, because she was obedient and available.

In Acts 10:34-35, we are reminded that God is no respecter of persons. He loves us all equally. In Jeremiah 29:11, He says that He has plans to prosper and not to harm us. And in Psalm 139:13-18, the Psalmist reminds us of our value to God, when he writes: “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. . . Your workmanship is marvellous—how well I know it. . .  Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.  How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!”

The Irish potato, #345, could not have done anything to be more valuable. It was merely placed in the right hands at the right time. Everyday God also looks down on earth to find vessels to accomplish His ways on earth (2 Chron. 12:9). Let us allow Him to heal our hurts, fill us with self-confidence and use us where He needs us. If so, we might just stand in amazement at the large, prominent things He can do in and through our lives. Remember you are extremely valuable to Him. God bless.

Father God, thank you for seeing me as valuable. Help me not to find my worth in material possessions or achievements, but in You. Heal me and use me where You want to use me. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

• See picture of the Irish potato here: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/photography/businessman-buys-photograph-of-a-potato-for-1m-a6831681.html
  

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