I’m certainly not an expert in metallurgy, but I can appreciate the basics involved in the refining of gold. Here it is, in easy-to-understand-non-scientific terms. The raw gold is placed in a crucible and subjected to intense heat, which causes the gold to melt. As it liquefies, the impurities in the gold separate and rise to the top, where they are skimmed off. The process is repeated as many times as necessary to increase the purity and quality of the gold; the more intensive the refining process, the higher the karat value obtained.
God is in the process of refining us, His children, His church. Refining is a difficult and uncomfortable process as we experience firsthand that brutal heat, adversity, and discomfort applied to our lives. During those times of testing, God may seem distant and silent to us. Job understood the painful purifying process and the apparent silence of God when he penned these words: “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand…but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand…” Job was simply being human and crying out, Where is God in my pain; why does He not answer me; why can I not find Him; why does He hide?
Our God is not an apathetic bystander in our pain, distant and aloof to our struggles, but He is a masterful refiner, meticulously removing the impurities that hold us back in our walk with Him. He longs to draw us into a closer intimacy and fellowship with Him. He seeks a pure, beautiful bride, betrothed to Christ, “not having spot, or wrinkle…but that it should be holy and without blemish.” That end goal of holiness requires intense refining, removing any impurities in our lives. But praise God, we, along with Job, can claim these words “…he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”
I want my life to be 24-karat gold for Christ, I long for that dross to be removed. God grant us the grace, faith, and patience to endure the refining process, always knowing that YOU are in control, and that once You have completed the process, we “shall come forth as gold.”
I Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.
Search me, try me, and purify me, Father. I am in the safe hand of a masterful Refiner. Make my life a testimony of Your grace.