Carrying Our Certificate of Authenticity
Apparently, the art market can be an overwhelming place for many artists. When an artist goes into business for themselves or just sells their art pieces, there are some things they need to introduce themselves and their business to professionally. One of the most valuable additions to any artist’s business is a certificate of authenticity (CoA).
A certificate of authenticity is a powerful tool in guaranteeing their integrity as an artist. It is best for this document to go with every piece of artwork they create. A certificate of authenticity gives a buyer the knowledge that they are professional, their work is of good quality, and their purchase is a sound investment. It also contributes to the level of trust in the artist's relationship with customers and helps them stand out in the art market.
As born again children of the Savior, we are called to be "conformed to His image" (Romans 8:29). We are His "workmanship," His "masterpiece" created for this purpose (Ephesians 2:10). As the great Master, He stamps us in many ways with His seal of approval, His Certificate of Authenticity.
Persecution is a part of that certification. "Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you." (John 15:20, ESV).
Responding to persecution with joy, knowing we will receive a reward in Heaven and are in good company, reveals to others that we are Jesus’ disciples.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matthew 5:10-12, ESV).
Boy Hero Bargains With God
News outlets the world over recently reported (January 30, 2026) of the heroic efforts of 13 year old Austin Appelbee who fought high seas, fear, and fatigue to rescue his family from certain death. One outlet reports it this way:
Austin, his mother Joanne, 12-year-old brother Beau, and 8-year-old sister Grace were on a vacation in Quindalup, Australia, when, on Jan. 30, they took their kayak and inflatable paddleboards out on Geographe Bay, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reports. At the time, the waters were calm, so they left their picnic basket, food, and water on the beach.
Soon, though, the waters became rough and the kayak flipped. It also began filling with water and the family was pushed farther and farther out to sea.
Austin tried to swim, dragging the rest of his family in the kayak, back to shore before his mother sent him to go get help. She said it was one of the hardest decisions she ever had to make.
“I knew he was the strongest and he could do it,” she said. “I would have never went because I wouldn’t have left the kids at sea, so I had to send somebody.”
Austin let go of the kayak and took off his life jacket, which he said was impeding his swimming. He swam for four hours.
“I was trying to get the happiest things in my head, and trying to make it through, and not the bad things that would distract me,” Austin told ABC.
So young Austin focused on simple, childhood motivators to keep himself focused. Think Thomas the Tank Engine ("Little engines can do big things!") meets Dory from Finding Nemo. In his own words, “I just kept thinking ‘just keep swimming, just keep swimming.’”
When he finally got to the beach he still had to sprint to a phone to call for help. "I need helicopters, I need planes, I need boats, my family’s out at sea!"
“I don’t think it was actually me doing that,” he said. "It was God the whole time. I kept on praying, I kept on praying.”
Austin knew that in that harrowing situation that God was going to be the answer. He simply couldn't do this on His own. Yet in His fear and uncertainty young Austin began bargaining with God, promising the Almighty that if He woud just get him to shore then he "would get baptized" and "go to church" (which indeed he did the following Sunday).
Click here to watch his interview with ABC news.
Nothing can diminish the unprecidented bravery, strength, and determination of this young hero. And hopefully, his recognition that it was God alone who could pull him and his family through this harrowing situation will provide lasting inspiration and motivation to continuing drawing near to the Lord, not just in rough seas, but in every moment of his life journey.
Yet young Austin has much to learn about the God to whom He cried out in his desparation. God's love, grace, deliverance, provision, and protection cannot be bargained for. "If you do this for me, I'll do that for you." Yet so often, for so many of us much older and supposedly wiser than our young hero, this is our natural, knee-jerk reaction.
God's love and grace are free gifts that stem from His heart and nature, not from our devotion or good works. No amount of obedience or sacrifice can trick Him into loving us. "We love Him because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19, NIV).
Christian author and pastor, Dr. Paul Tripp notes, "Some Christians have argued that there are [indeed] bargains in Scripture in which God seems to have willingly participated. One of the prime examples is Hannah."
“She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” (1 Samuel 1:10-11, ESV)
At first glance, this does look like a bargain with God, and in fact, God did give Hannah a son. However, the story needs closer examination. Hannah has a conversation with Eli, the priest, “then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.” (v. 18)
[You will know] if you are striking a bargain with God, [if] it is only after you have received what you wanted that you experience positive emotions and celebrate getting what you wanted. Not so for Hannah. She is not waiting for the birth of her baby for joy and peace to return; she has it now.
Hannah’s prayer was not a negotiation with God to get her desire but an abandonment of her desire—yes, even a biblical one—for an even better one.
Rather than being consumed solely by her own purpose, she chooses to be captivated by God’s. Rather than attaching a happy life to the fulfillment of her own desires, she finds life in the success of God’s kingdom.
So he rightly observes:
Hannah is not negotiating with God for a son. Of course, she desires a son—a beautiful, biblical desire—but she is letting go of this desire to grab hold of and submit something infinitely better: God’s perfect, wise, and loving will for her life.
Here's Tripp's punchline ...
'Don’t stop asking God to fulfill the desires of your heart, but also never stop asking God to expose whether these desires are horizontal and self-serving rather than vertical and God-honoring. When your desires belong to the Lord, and you are fully content in him, you can experience the best and brightest of lives, no matter how he answers your prayers.'
As the Lord himself prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39, ESV).
God did indeed show up for young Austin in his time of need, but not because our young hero promised him acts of devotion. There are no doubt many, albeit metaphorical, "rough seas" in Austin's future. To meet the challenges, let's pray this young man learns and grows in his faith, laying down his bargaining tools, simply coming to rest and trust in God's great love and grace freely offered.
He's off to a great start ... what a hero!
Dad, Are You There?
Christian podcaster and influencer, Allie Beth Stuckey, recalls an interview with Christian music superstar, Matthew West:
Christian singer Matthew West shared a powerful story about taking his daughter to camp. During an exercise, the daughters were blindfolded and the dads were told to guide them through the woods after repeating three instructions: I will never leave you. You can ask me anything. And only listen for my voice.
At first, he could guide her easily. Then the counselors signaled for him to remove his hand. He was no longer allowed to speak unless his daughter remembered she could ask him anything. Eventually, they got off track on their hike and a counselor quietly led her into a ditch without her realizing it.
After standing there blindfolded and confused, she finally asked, “Dad, are you there?”
Matthew said he teared up as he answered, “Yeah. I’m here.”
She continues:
This moment reminded him how often we forget the same truths about God: that He never leaves us, we can ask Him anything, and we need to listen for His voice.
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27, NIV).
"You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him" (Deuteronomy 13:4, ESV).