Tried and Proven

Back in the 1980s, when we were living in Haiti, someone gave us a gift of two knives from Chicago Cutlery. They were the fanciest knives we've ever had. The steel is strong and the handles are made of black walnut. Black walnut has a chemical in it that make the wood resistant to rotting.

Still, time and humid climates managed to do a number on them, and last year, while we were still in Thailand, I ended up filling in the gaps in the handles with epoxy. The steel is still good and I didn't want to waste them.

Back in 2020, when were stuck in the US because of COVID, we were staying at a place that didn't have decent knives. So I bought a pair like we had back in Thailand. We didn't use them much, and then we put them in storage when we returned to Thailand. But now we have come back from Thailand and we brought our old knives with us because we like them so much. They are worn to a nice thin and pointy shape that is quite handy. The new ones are still nicely wrapped up and sitting in a drawer for now.

Old Knives: Worn But Still Strong

When something is built well, it lasts for a long time, even though it may be frequently subjected to a lot of hard use.

This reminds me of what our faith is supposed to be like. Some people show an interest in Jesus, but when trials come, they fall away quickly. Jesus alludes to this in the parable of the sower:

²⁰As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, ²¹yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. (Matthew 13:20–21 ESV)

Peter alludes to this as well, he writes:

⁶In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:6–7 ESV)

Like these knives, our bodies have become a bit worn with age. But by God's grace and a little epoxy from the Holy Spirit, we can still remain sharp and functional.

God, by your Holy Spirit help me not to fall away when trials come. May I maintain my edge, like a good knife, over a long period of time, so that You would be glorified in my life till the very end.