Reflection: No metal becomes pure without being refined – and neither will you. As I’m sure you’ve discovered, being refined is not a comfortable experience. It is destructive of the status quo.
Metal has to be heated until it is liquid if it is to be refined. For us, refining heat often comes in the form of suffering. I’m not sure we can ever be refined without it. The apostle Paul spoke of this in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9. So did the apostle, James, who wrote:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:2-4).
God is always looking to refine us, and to cut away from us those things that are unhelpful and unfruitful (John 15:1-8).
You may ask: “how does the refiner knows when the metal is pure?” The answer: “It is pure when he can see his own reflection in it.”
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I’m not very good at allowing suffering to refine me. Please draw close to me in these tough times… for if you are with me, I have everything.