Refining Fires

"And I will put this third into the fire,
    refine them as one refines silver,
    and test them as gold is tested.
They will call on my name,
    and I will answer them.
I will say, 'They are my people';
    and they will say, 'The Lord is our God.'” Zech 13:9

When she was younger, I called her Sassy Cassie. She can still be a bit sassy. She, as most of us do, has fought the refining process as well as she could. Thankfully, God is patient and loves all of his children continuing always to soften our hearts toward Him that we might live abundant lives in Him. The refining is not easy on the person that is being refined or on anyone around them. But, it is better to withstand the fiery ordeal of refining then never to step inside the refining fires of God. It is better to withstand the refining process while young so that as we grow old, we can joyfully say, "The Lord is my God."

For most of her life, I have reminded Cassie to "live life" and most importantly to "live life in Christ." Life is much more pleasant when we get up and actually experience the awesome life and all the gifts that God has given us. Following in the way that he would have us go and focusing on truly living life in Christ and not so much in the ways of this world and you will know true joy and peace.

Garth Brooks reminds us in his song:
     Standing outside the fire 
     Standing outside the fire 
     Life is not tried it is merely survived 
     If you're standing outside the fire

Do not fear the refining fires of God. But, recognize that if you find yourself standing in them God is desiring for you to get through them and put them behind you so that you can live life in Christ. God is with you even in those fires. Live life!

God's Peace - Pr. J