The Cost, Call and Collaboration of Authenticity

The description of authenticity implies a nature of originality, genuine, or of an undisputed origin. In the times we live in there is an urge for the authentic due to the absence of anything real. We have created billion-dollar industries centered around the purpose of hiding what is. We have mastered the presentation of images while we lack the core elements of the nature we project.

Why? Why do we invest our greatest resources such as finance, energy, time, and creativity in creating false narratives of what we desire to be without ever becoming it? One of the reasons is the cost of authenticity. You see, to be authentic always requires you to endure testing. You know a real luxury bag by the stitching and material. You know real love by the sacrifices made for the one it’s given to. You know when it’s real faith because it costs the comfort of having control and all the answers.

If Authentic Faith is the total sum, then there must be some challenge in the framework of the formula. Therefore, I want to encourage both you and me with Joshua 1:9. Here God instructs Joshua to be strong and courageous. This call to action comes amid the grief of Moses being denied access to the promised land. This comes amid the weight of vacancies in leadership and the middle of the transition to a new place.

The reality of walking with God is the call does not submit to your convenience. In verse two of Joshua Chapter 1, the Father describes this inopportune time for Joshua as a properly set arrival. God said the time has come. Wow! Sometimes the events of our life that appear to disqualify us for the work are the ones God identifies as steps to our appointed time. Don’t allow the conditions of your present to cause you to doubt God’s plan.

Jump back to Joshua 1:9 with me. The command was to be strong and courageous. In other words, authentic faith in God does not fold under the weight of the present challenge. That type of faith is built to endure. Look at the two adjectives Joshua was instructed to align with. Strong and courageous. In this command, we see two points of endurance. Strength is the endurance of resistance and courage is the endurance of fear.

Authentic Faith is willing to embrace the discomfort of obeying God in the presence of resistance and the presence of fear. A person's strength is gauged by the amount of weight they can stand under. Real courage is activated in environments that provoke fear yet the courageous move forward anyhow. 

I know you feel the weight. I know that bad decisions, the responsibility of parenting, the responsibility of ministry, and financial concerns just to name a few are sources that add major weight to an already challenging life. Today I challenge us both, the reader and the writer to be strong. Stand under the weight and whatever is too heavy for you give that to God. I know we love to celebrate Christ's command to come to him. But the reality of this walk is we all will have to carry some weight. Jesus informed us that if any man should come after him, he would have to carry his cross. Be strong!

I heard my Pastor; Pastor Darrell Cook say courage isn’t the absence of fear it’s the resolve to move forward in the presence of it. Take courage. The factors you face aren’t yours to face alone. The God that called you is aware of every challenge that provokes fear in you, yet he assigned you. Therefore, he will go through it with you. Psalm 23 I will fear no evil for you are with me. Understand our father isn’t present simply to observe but he is there to preserve, protect, provide, and so much more. Be Courageous!

Today I challenge you to make time this week and complete this task.

1. List what weight is testing your strength. Ask God what is for you to carry and what you need to give to him.

2. List the environmental factors that weaken your courage. As you list them find a scripture to speak over them so God’s word can lead you to courage.

Be blessed AFP Family!