Are you accredited?

As Brianna starred out of the lightly frosted window, she could hear her father's words ringing in her ear, "Make sure they are accredited, otherwise, they will be giving you wooden nickels!" She didn't understand why her father kept telling her that, until she did some research. Now, the time had come when she had to put all of her good researching and dad's good advice to use. She was so deep in thought that she couldn't hear anything around her. "Ms. Phoenix", the secretary softly said.  Brianna continued starring out the window, unmoved by the soft, yet very close voice, calling her name. "Ms. Phoenix," the secretary repeated. Finally, she walked over to Brianna and gently shook her.  Brianna, looked around to see this middle-aged lady standing exactly 4 ft. tall, standing by her saying, "Mr. Banks, will see you now." Brianna smiled and replied, "Thank you."  Brianna received many offers from a variety of colleges and this was her last interview.  Brianna, although very young, was very attentive.  She could see that Mr. Banks, was the type of man that could talk the sweetness from a gingerbread! She could see why, he was extremely handsome and charming, which gave him an advantage over most people.

"Ms. Phoenix, please come in and have a seat. How are you this morning?” he asks.

“I’m doing fine. How are you?" she replies.

“Never been better! Brianna, we have looked over your qualifications, and we are very pleased that you have considered us as one of your choices. I want to let you know, we are an accredited school, and I feel that we can definitely help you achieve your career goals.” he says.
“When you say that you are accredited, does that mean that my credits are transferable?” she asks. She wanted to see if he would be honest enough to tell her the truth.  She'd already thoroughly researched their university and knew that the credits would not transfer. Looking at her in a slyly, he replies,
“Well, transferring of credits is not something that you should be focused on right now, Brianna. Brilliant as you are, you can easily land any job that you want with a degree from here. So, you see, transferring of credits is not of utmost importance, but landing that right job is. This is where we are beneficial to you. We equip you for and help get you into your dream job.”
Brianna replies, "Well, Mr. Banks, I beg to differ! Accreditation is a big deal, especially as it relates to the funding, my career goals and my future. Since I am going into the law field, the accreditation of your school is vitally important. It can be the difference between enabling and disabling me from taking my bar exam. So, you see, Mr. Banks, accreditation is a very big deal. Furthermore, I do not feel that your school fits my needs. I do appreciate your time.” She winks as she extends her hand towards, Mr. Banks, before exiting his office. She felt good about her decision to go with another school.  Mr. Banks, may have been able to talk the sweetness from a gingerbread, just not this one!

Accreditation is a big deal in your spiritual walk too. That word accreditation simply means a process of validation. In Acts 2:22, the scripture says, “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. That's right, Jesus was accredited by God. Another example of this is in Acts 9:13-15, which reads: “But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name. But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel.” Although he had the authority from the chief priests to carry out one mission, it couldn't override the accreditation that God had for him to do another mission. God referred to him as a “chosen instrument of Mine”! Now that’s what I call a true accreditation! So, I ask the question: Are you accredited? Who is your accreditation with? Is it with God? Or is it with man?