Peeled Like a Potato - Martin Wiles

When the Lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, “Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. Hosea 1:2 NLT

I stood with a bag of potatoes beside me, a knife in my hand, and what appeared like eternity in front of me.

Corporal tunnel surgery had not slowed my wife down much—and I was glad since, at the time, she was our cook at church for Wednesday night meals. Although I was prepared to fix the meal under her supervision, I got off with a lighter duty.

“How good are you at peeling potatoes?” she asked.

“Okay, I suppose,” I answered and took the knife she handed me.

“Peel half of this bag.”

When I finished peeling, she said, “Now slice them and then dice them into small pieces so they’ll cook quickly.”

The dish was simple. She was merely browning the potatoes and adding a little butter and other seasoning. Yet almost an hour was spent getting ready to make the dish. Peeling and preparing a potato can be a lengthy process.

Hosea was peeled like a potato. God’s call to him involved marrying a prostitute—or a woman with promiscuous leanings--and having her bear him children through adulterous relationships. Seems like a strange plan, but his life episode would illustrate Israel’s unfaithfulness to God.

God’s plan often comes in layers like a sliced potato. He doesn’t show us the entire schema, just bits and pieces. Hosea’s wife didn’t stop with one promiscuous affair but continued until Hosea finally brought her home and confined her. My obedience to each stage of God’s unfolding plan demonstrates my determination to do what He wants me to do—even if I can’t see the end.

God’s plan can be painful, as it was for Hosea and for my back while I stood for an hour peeling. No spouse enjoys being the recipient of unfaithfulness. God often allowed his prophets to demonstrate their messages in graphic ways, and Hosea’s did, too. Hosea hurt. Through pain, we grow spiritually and are drawn closer to our Creator.  

And God’s plan will always entail change. Never can we stay where we are and go with God. The potato won’t become a hash brown casserole, French fries, or browned potatoes if it stays in its original state.

Regardless of the pain or the change required, determine to follow God’s plan for your life.

Father, give me the courage and faith I need to say “Yes” to your plan. 

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