The Great Refiner

Well my plan worked out well! Of course when I wrote that last blog I was getting into the last month of school before finals! And the month of a million birthdays for our family!
But this time... I actually have something to say!

A few weeks ago, while sitting in English IV, my teacher was going through the lecture as usual and to be completely honest, I wasn't tuned into what she was saying this particular week.
However, I caught myself just in time to hear the most amazing, picturesque, and descriptive story about one of God's ways of showing His great love to us that I had ever heard.
I loved it so much and really wanted to share it with all who might come upon it! So here it is, I hope you enjoy it as immensely as I did, sitting in class almost tearing up from the beauty of it!

A young lady reading her Bible alone, came upon Psalm 66:10. "For thou hast tried us, O God; Thou has refined us as silver is refined."

Curious as to the significance of God being called a refiner of silver and not some other metal or something completely different, the woman sought out and contacted a silversmith, asking him if she could come out and observe him while he worked for a day, not telling him the reason for her visit. He let her and she drove out in hopes of finding the significance.

Throughout the day she watched as he went about his work, until finally, he began the process of refining silver. He submerged it into the fire and continued about his work normally. The woman examined carefully, watching as the metal heated and began to glow. Soon, the unwanted impurities began to flow off of the precious metal. As this happened, the young woman questioned the silversmith, "How do you know when to pull the silver out?"
Answering her calmly, the man said, "I know that it is just the right moment to pull it out, when I can see my reflection in it."
As they say, the rest was history. (at least that's what my teacher said ;D)

This story ends here. But a much great story was told in this, one that I will never forget! In class, we were talking about trials and the fact that, as James says, we go through these trials for a reason. That reason is so that we will develop perseverance, so that we will press on for the goal of Christ. And it is in these times that we grow closer to God and learn so much! This example is so amazing, because it shows that God puts us in the "fire" for our good. It may not feel good at the time, but the outcome is irreplaceable; a relationship with God that fulfills all love and all joy.
But He also doesn't just leave us in the fire to try and get out by our own means, He breaks us, bends us, and molds us into His image. Burning off our impurities.

This was just so meaningful to me, I couldn't help but share it. In your time of trial or hardship, in any situation where you're worried or scared, think of God as your Refiner. Know that He is working in you to be more like Him. Glorify Him. Praise Him. He is SO much more than worthy!!!

I am overwhelmed by His love and grace! Speechless, and yet unable to keep it to myself. In complete awe of His glory!
I hope everybody is having a fabulous weekend and continues to do so!

Through Christ alone,
Jenna

I'm thinking it's time to start blogging regularly... :) I've got a new post that is being "processed" and edited and I'm excited to post it! I'll make it a goal to blog at LEAST once a week!
But.... we'll see how well that works out ;) I'll end tonight with an "excerpt" from Valley of Vision... my favorite book next to the Bible!

Man A Nothing:
I am a shell full of dust,
but animated with an invisible rational soul
and made anew by an unseen power of grace;
Yet I am no rare object of valuable price,
but one that nas nothing and is nothing,
although chosen of thee from eternity,
given to Christ, and born again;
I am deeply convinced of the evil and misery of a sinful state,
of the vanity of creatures,
but also of the sufficiency of Christ.

I bid thee all a goodnight! ;)
And a Happy Spring Break!