Living Through The Refiner's Fire

And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.

Often times we want our lives to just be shiny. Bright. Glowing. Perfect. And in that desire we don't think about the process or the pain that will make us into what He desires us to be. When I was a child, I didn't grow up "in church" per say. My dad is Catholic, so yes I had some knowledge of what God was....but He was this far off distant thing. There was no personal relationship aspect to God or Jesus.

The process of refining silver is a personal one. The refiner must sit and carefully hold the silver in the hottest part of the flame. You know where I mean?...Not just barely glancing the edges of the flame like a parlor trick. (I'm sure you have done that as a kid...."Oh, look at me" and swipe your finger through that golden edge of 'flame' all the while acting as if you had some mystical power.) No, he holds that metal down in the hottest part of the fire and sits for the duration.

Some time ago, a few ladies met in a certain city to read the scriptures, and make them the subject of conversation. While reading the third chapter of Malachi they came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse: "And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." One lady's opinion was that is was intended to convey the view of the sanctifying influence of the grace of Christ. Then she proposed to visit a silversmith and report to them what he said on the subject.

She went accordingly and without telling the object of her errand, begged to know the process of refining silver, which he fully described to her. "But Sir" she said, "do you sit while the work of refining is going on?" "Oh, yes, madam," replied the silversmith; "I must sit with my eye steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining be exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured."

The lady at once saw the beauty, and comfort too, of the expression, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." Christ sees it needful to put His children into a furnace; His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for them. Their trials do not come at random; "the very hairs of your head are all numbered."

As the lady was leaving the shop, the silversmith called her back, and said he had forgotten to mention that the only way that he knows when the process of purifying is complete when he sees his own image reflected in the silver....      --Author Unknown

So it is here, that I am being held by Jesus. The fire is hot. The trials are long. The process can be undaunting. But I know when it is over, I will be pure, free from the impurities and mess that life leeched into me.  I will be able to further use these experiences for His glory, for others to save them from the same mistakes, to witness to His amazing love.