Unless the Corn Die

Years ago a minister in Iowa went home from a service for dinner with a wealthy farmer. This man, though not a Christian, was moral and upright. As they entered the house from the rear through a shed, the minister noticed several bushels of corn twisted together by the husks and hung from the open rafters. The farmer pointer out to the minister the finest seed corn he had ever raised. Said the preacher: "If I were you, I would always keep that corn there. You will never get any more like it."

"You must think I'm a fool," said the farmer. "I must plant that corn or I'll have no more crop." And the preacher rejoined: "That corn is like yourself. I never knew a man so rich in natural endowments as you. If something would only happen to let the seed corn be planted, be buried, you would be so useful to God and humanity!"

Months later the minister received a call to visit the farmer. The old farmer surprised him by saying, "Glory to God!" The seed corn has been planted." He related gladly how it happened. He had been currying a mule when the mule let both heels fly at him, cutting open his face with a sharp-shod hoof. The injured man got on his knees and surrendered to God. "And now," said he, "I want to make my life yield a harvest for Him."

Author: W.W. Clay
Source: "Choice Illustrations" W.W. Clay pg. 12-13.