This is a story I read years ago, and I think it’s been passed around in mass e-mails multiple times. You get to read it, anyway. 
The Refiner
There w as
a group of women in
a Bible study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three, which says: “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.
“
This verse puzzled the women and
they wondered what this statement meant about
the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, this woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work.
She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest, so as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot — then she thought again about the verse that says, “He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.”
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he also had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment.
Then she asked the silversmith, how do you know when the silver is fully refined?
He smiled at her and answered, “Oh that’s easy — when I see my image in it.”
***************************
I am being refined.
In ways I don’t want to be refined. I’m uncomfortable, frustrated, hurting, and sitting in the middle of the fire begging for my Maker to please,
please, please finish already.
(Another characteristic of a girl who doesn’ t like
to wait. :))
And as I wait in the middle of the fire, I see those impurities slowly being exposed…things that I know need to be burned away.
But it hurts…and I hate pain.
I don’t pretend to be perfect…as is evidenced by me splashing my heart onto this blog just about every day. In some ways, that blogging is part of the refining process…it’s showing me things in my life that need to change or be burned away so that I may be more like Him.
We sang a song at Immanuel on Sunday, and it hurts my heart to realize that the very words I sang three days ago didn’t truly connect with me at the time.
But they are my prayer.
And even though it’s going to hurt, I’m so thankful that my Father will be right beside me during the whole process.
So, God…refine away.
Refiner’s fire, my heart’s one desire
..ready to do Your will.
Is to be holy, set apart for You, Lord.
I want to be holy, set apart for you, my Master,
Ready to do Your will.
Thanks for the tears *laugh* That was good! Thank you so much for sharing it!
I’ve prayed similar prayers for refinement, for sanctification. And yes, it’s painful. I’m sure it’s worth it. Today, I can’t say. What I feel today, in all honesty, is that He walked away from His fire and I’m on the verge of being destroyed. That’s just my flesh talking. I think.
I suppose when we all get to Heaven we’ll be like, “Oh really? You were that close?” Knowing then, that He never forsook us or left us alone.
But I’m with ya on the whole waiting thing…… IT STINKS!
((((hugs)))))
Hugs back. You encourage me and make me smile. Thanks for visiting me every day.