The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests hearts. Prov. 17:3 NASB
Seasons change in nature and in life. For a number of years I had been blessed with a group of very close friends. We spent lots of time together laughing, crying, having picnics, movie nights... you name it. A few years ago things began to gradually change. Ailing parents, new marriages, health issues, grandchildren and some strained relationships affected opportunities to spend time together.
It's been hard for me and I miss the chance to see each of them as often as I'd like. Around the same time I finalized my divorce after a lengthy separation from an abusive marriage. Over those long months, I felt the loss of the sameness that had been there and had been such a comfort to me. I missed the closeness that I shared with my friends for so long. It's been a season of refining for me. I felt like I'd been in the Lord's fire with one change after another, after another, after another. Each change happened almost simultaneously with no time to catch my breath or re-group.
I'm not a fan of change. Probably few of us are if we're willing to admit it. But I do know this, the Lord is good and I can trust what He is doing in me.
While writing this post I researched the refining process for silver and gold. The main point that struck me was this. A skilled smith watches the refining process carefully and knows exactly when to pull the molten metal out of the fire. The heating process causes the impurities to rise to the surface where they are skimmed off.
The melting point of both silver and gold is more than 1500 degrees. That is pretty HOT! And, the boiling point is even higher! It is no wonder that being in the Lord's refining pot hurts so much. As we are willing to allow Him to remove the impurities from our hearts we become more like the pure gold He intends for us. We become a vessel fit for the Master's table.
II Tim. 2:21 NASB "Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work."
I have not arrived yet and that's the thing about the Christian walk. We go through seasons of relative ease followed by seasons of much pain. But God's purpose is ALWAYS for our good. He is not wanting to destroy us. He wants to help us to grow and to become more like Him. He has not forgotten you in this season of your life. He will not leave your side but is watching the fire carefully to skim off the impurities.
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Rom. 8:28 NASB
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