God’s Purifying Process

love one another earnestly from a pure heart.…(1 Peter 1:22)

I’m asking God to purify my heart. I need that. More than I could ever even begin to fathom. There are still parts of me that need to walk through the gut wrenching process of purification.

I remember when I was a kid in art class. We would create some sculptures but before they were ready they had to be placed in a very, very hot kiln. Those sculptures sat in that kiln for many hours, removing impurities and getting themselves ready to be the finished product.

Friend, did you ever get burnt on something or having a hardship rise up in your life, but you fled the kiln? You moved on either physically, emotionally or mentally and never walked through the full process of purification.

I’m going to tell you something. I am living proof that you can’t keep running if you really want to be made more like Jesus. You have to stay put in the refiner’s fire. Otherwise, the same story will keep repeating itself in your life until you submit yourself to God’s purification process.

Is it painful, yes. But is it purposeful, yes, it absolutely is. There’s something about the fire that doesn’t just change us, but it makes us more radiant. At least, I have found more peace in my heart after God has pulled me out of the fire. I have not found peace when I fled the fire myself. I’m just partly signed, pretty resentful and angry. Which creates an even greater opportunity for God to walk me through the process once again. Usually the second time around is more painful. Therefore, I’m learning to stop leaving and start trusting Him in the fire of His purification. I pray that you’ll join me there today as we all grow to become like Him.

Father, thank you for your purification. I need it so desperately. I want to be like you. Forgive me for the many times I’ve fled the fire. I want to stay put, because I want to be more like you. Grow me up in you, I pray, today, in Jesus name, Amen.