August 16, Proven

The proven genuineness of your faith.

I Peter 1:7

I would like to tell you the story of “one who is proven.”  This one stands when all else shifts and crumbles, for this one is proven. 

This one is not perfect, but solid and consistent. And a shifting world does not make this one fragile, for this one is proven.  

This one does not negotiate faith, nor does this one cower when threats arise, for this one is proven. This one does not lay aside commitments to God when inconvenienced, for this one is proven.  

This one gladly lives under the authority of Jesus and His truths, and in doing so shows respect to all authority, for this one is proven.  This one does not honor man over Jesus, nor does this one elevate status with friends to a place of any significant priority.  For, this one is proven.  

This one walks with integrity and a genuine love for all others without any hint of discrimination, for this one is proven. This one does not politicize nor marginalize others, for the value of God is etched on each face. And this one has lost personal identity for the sake of Christ and for others, for this one is proven.  

This is the story of one proven. And this story is in the highest regard a story of one who has truly decided to walk as Jesus lived, to live as Jesus instructed, and to influence all others to desire Jesus.  For, this one is proven.  

This one faces the reality of a shifting world and allows the pressures of uncertainties and the threats of despair to have but one affect: to prove real faith in Jesus.  And, this is so, for this one is proven.

Can you make the story of "this one" your own story as well?  Today, resolve to live proven.  

These sufferings (and uncertain times) have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. (I Peter 1:7)

Blessings.