A lot has been said about the Refiner's Fire. I have heard countless illustrations that give great description to the process. Most of these messages focus on the heat of the fire, the dross that is taken away, etc. Unfortunately, many of these descriptions have been shared negatively. They typically focus on the dross - the impurities - that is taken away from the metal. What if this isn't a negative experience?
Think about it with me: The removal of dross from our lives is a means to acquire a pure reflection of the Refiner. All of us will go through seasons of purification. It's not always about sin. It's not because we are so screwed up that the Lord can't use us. It's just a process of being conformed to the image of the Son. We are meant to reflect His glory in the Earth. You might as well enjoy the process.
Pruning for growth is another process that we tend to view negatively. I've heard people talk about the pain they go through as the Lord cuts away things that are hindering growth in their lives. This is more of a mindset problem than anything else. We have become so accustomed to having certain attitudes, behaviors, etc. in our lives that it's difficult to see them cut away. But have you ever considered the pain that we go through when those things are allowed to remain?
I don't know too many Christians that do not want to grow in their walk with God. The question is whether or not they are willing to encounter the Lord to experience this growth. Regardless of the circumstances - whether it's the Refiner's Fire, the Launderer's Soap, or the Pruning that leads to growth - be thankful that you are encountering God is the secret place of your life. He is simply creating a more accurate reflection of who you are in Him.
Several months ago I heard Graham Cooke teaching on this very thing. He spoke of people who were going through season's of change. How they expressed themselves during the process is a true reflection of how they view God. "I'm in the winepress of God" (insert whiny voice). "Yeah...the Lord's really changing me" (insert sounds of drudgery). Graham's response: "Isn't the point of all of this that you enjoy what the Lord is doing in your life?" Imagine being excited about the Lord's pruning in your life because you see the end result. Imagine going through the Refiner's fire with joy because you know that God will be able to see a true reflection of His Son in your life. I believe as you change the way you go through these seasons, there's a good chance that they will not last as long and you will be much more enjoyable to be around during the process.
We will all go through the testing of our faith. I'm not saying that all these tests are from the Lord but I will say that He walks with you through them. 1 Peter 1:7 puts it beautifully: "These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." [NLT]
Allowing the Lord to purify your life, being pruned for growth, and encountering Truth may seem difficult but they can be just as exhilarating as encountering Him through praise and worship. These moments can be remarkable as you focus on the end result. I want you to consider with me the joy of childbirth. The birthing process is not only difficult for the mother but for the baby as well. Doctors pay just as much attention to the stress on the child being born as they do the mother. Why? Because they want to see a healthy child delivered. How we go through these seasons will determine what is birthed into our lives. If we pay attention to the dross rather than allowing the Refiner to remove it then we will carry around the wrong image. If we fight to keep the things that hinder our growth rather than allow them to be cut away, then we will be deformed. Go through the process with the expectancy of what God is birthing in your life. You will enjoy what He has accomplished in your life as much as He does. Allow Him to have His perfect work in you.
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