as silver is refined...

Oh, to be refined.

The dictionary defines “refine” as

-  to bring to a pure state, free from impurities or unwanted materials

- to purify from what is coarse, vulgar or debasing

- to make elegant or cultured

- to make more fine, subtle and precise

Often times, the process of refinement is a painful one; we become stripped of what we know and desire. We never understand the necessity for refinement, mostly because we do not see ourselves the way that Christ sees us, with impurities and unwanted material in our lives. We, out of selfish ambition, seek to see the little holiness that we may possess.

In Psalm 66, David is praising the LORD for His mighty deeds and for His ability to answer prayer. David invites humanity to “come and see the works of God” (vs. 5) and in turn praise Him for such. David then gives testimony of the LORD’s power in regards to our lives.

“‎For You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined...

We went through fire and through water,

yet You brought us out into a place of abundance...

Come and hear, all who fear God, and I will tell of what He has done for my soul…” (vs. 10,12,16)

This season of my life I am being refined, purely and simply. I am being stripped of so much so that I may be brought to a place of abundance. I do not know what that abundance looks like or when I will arrive to it, and although this at many times is frustrating, it is a beautiful picture of His sovereignty and the sanctification of humanity. And although I am very much anticipating the season of abundance, I am desperately trying to embrace this season, not rejecting the growth that will come and allowing God to challenge, break, and mold me throughout this time. Refinement draws us closer to El Roi, the God Who Sees Us; we become, by definition, cultured in the ways and desires of Christ Himself. We are refined so that we may be placed into abundance by the loving hands of our Heavenly Father.

I am confident that I will emerge a completely new woman, a woman with new desires, a woman who has endured brokenness and hardship, a woman who has been refined in order to receive abundance.

Notice that after David speaks of the LORD’s power to refine, he invites those to come and hear “what He has done for my soul.” You see friends, our personal refinement has a greater purpose; it is part of a bigger tapestry that is being woven. Our struggles, our seasons of refinement, are purposed to exhibit the greatness of Christ, to showcase His glory so that others may come to know Him. To deny these seasons, no matter how painful they may feel, is to deny the work not only in our lives but also in the lives of others.

When I chew on the fact that I am not where I want to be, I must remember that Christ looks upon me and whispers gently, “Child, you are exactly where I desire you to be.”

A season of refinement is painful, it is hard, it is frustrating and it can steal joy and identity. But will you allow the words of David and the promises of Christ to encourage you or will you allow the Enemy to blind you from growth, beauty and abundance?