No Crap, No Crop

 I was reading in my Bible this morning and came across this verse; 

"Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, but much revenue comes by the strength of the ox." (Prov. 14: 4 NASB) 

For some reason, I wasn't getting the whole picture in my mind of what that actually means. I know it was saying you got to have the oxen to get the crop, but I thought there must be a little more. Then I read the same verse in the Passion Translation. 

"The only clean stable is an empty stable. So if you want the work of an ox and enjoy an abundant harvest, you'll have a mess or two to clean up." Prov. 14: 4 TPT

   Somehow, the picture became clear in my mind. No crap in the stall, no crop in the field. If you want to have that abundant crop, there's gonna be some crap to clean up to get it. I also saw that a great crop can come from where there's been a mess. That mess that stinks in your life can be the very thing that's going to bring an abundant crop of goodness in your life. What creates the stink in your life can be the very thing that gives you the strength to bring about an abundant, good crop. So don't despise the mess, just clean it up, and let it help fertilize your crop. God is great at turning your lemons into lemonade. Also, remember, No crap, No crop!