In The Crucible

In the Crucible

Who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears?

Malachi 3:2

IN WORD We might think that the coming of our true desire, God’s promises in Jesus, is a peaceful event, but it’s not. It’s very traumatic. There are two reasons for that: first, the world isn’t ready for a righteous Refiner to do His work; and second, frankly, neither is the church.

We often fail to realize that the accomplishment of our true desires requires the incineration of our false ones. That’s a painful process, not just because our impurities suffer intense heat, but also because our true selves do too. The smelting puts everything under the flame; that which is impure is burned away, and that which is pure is melted. But everything experiences the flame.

You’ve probably noticed that, probably even resisted it. We want our desires to come, but we want them to come painlessly. In a fallen world, that’s not the way of God’s Kingdom. The Refiner comes to save, and part of the saving is purging. When Paul writes about the judgment seat of Christ, when everything is burned and only what is good will remain, we can see the principle at work in our lives even today. The crucible of life is a judgment of sorts; every decision comes at a critical point of contact between metal and dross.

IN DEED Begin to think of your life in these terms, if you don’t already. As you approach major decisions, relationships, directions in career or ministry, and investments of time, talents, and wealth, ask yourself whether your decision will result in molten purity or mineral waste. Examine your motives, your resources, your plan, and your process in every area of your life. The outcomes you envision should have an eternal glow to them.

That may be hard to decipher sometimes, but God will give you insight if you ask Him. The Refiner is very invested in the final product; He wants your life to shine like a brilliant trophy of glory. He is determined to bring you through the crucible.

God can never make us wine if we object to the fingers He uses to crush us with.

—OSWALD CHAMBERS