Ever watch PBS’ hit program, Antique Road Show? I love that show, though I don’t believe anyone else in my family does. No problem. I catch it late at night or simply hit the DVR. If you’ve never caught the show before, here it is in a nutshell: A traveling show hosted in various cities, with supposed “experts” on antiques and artifacts, will appraise and survey items that are perhaps valuable (to the surprise of the actual person who owns the item), or, share that it is a “hack,” a “fake,” or a “dud.” Case in point: Recently on a show, a lady took in a 4-piece set of what she thought were simply “old” dishes. It was a complete set: 4 dinner plates; 4 bread plates; 4 matching glasses; a pitcher; and a large serving platter. It had been in her family for decades, handed down multiple times. On the back of each piece, it read: “W.H. P. Collection.” For years, the family reasoned that it meant something different, but instead, it actually meant White House Presidential Collection. Those plates, which she thought may be worth $100.00 or so, ended up being dated to Abraham Lincoln and were valued at about $10,000.00 at auction.
On just about every program of Antique Road Show, you see stories like this. Many people are pleasantly surprised at the uniqueness, the history, and the value of things they thought were virtually worthless. On the other hand, there are those times when people arrive with something, thinking it is valuable, and then find out it is really worth very little. Usually, that doesn’t go over to well. In fact, some people get a little upset. Not often, but it does happen.
What I find interesting is how authenticity is essential. That is the very first thing the appraisers are searching for: Who made this? When was it made? What period was it crafted in? Are there any seals or watermarks? Is it real? The experts have been trained on HOW to tell. They have an eye and a knowledge of what is real and what is fake. Often times, that tells the true tale of the tape.
Lately, when I have been able to catch the program, I have started to somehow liken it to God and what He is looking for. Last week, God gave me a message on our choices. Taken from Romans 14, v.12, which states: “All of us will have to give an account of ourselves to God,” I couldn’t help but think of the Antique Road Show. And here is why: One day, on that day that has been appointed for all of us, God will assess and determine this: Are we real? In other words, are we authentically His? He will surely know – He surely knows even today!
On the show, something that is fake has no chance of ever becoming valuable. It can’t be made into something that has value no matter what kind of process it goes through. But with God, all things are possible! He makes all things new and He makes us real and authentic through the gift and presence of His Son, Jesus Christ!
Are you being made new, today? If not, the good news is that today can be the beginning of the rest of your life. Don’t let the past dictate your present, or your future. In the words of the great philosopher: “Let go, and let God.”
He is Alive and He is Able
Blessings,
Porter
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