The past few months have left me dry and feeling like God had turned his back on me. After all, hadn't I been following Him, searching and studying His Word? How could He let me feel like He had left me and threw me to the wolves!!
I have pushed through the last few months, making plans to change things in my life, but in the end, God showed me that He has plans for me (Jeremiah 29:11). My plans were not His plans. The funny thing is that this has been my "life verse" for the past 18 years. I have reminded myself of that time and time again, however, this time, I had forgotten it.
I had wonderful people surrounding me that prayed for me, listened to my cry and whine about my problems and continued to love me anyway. In the end, I gave into God and allowed him to guide me in the path He would have me to go.
Sometimes, I think you have to get the breaking point, the point where you are so low, that you can't even look down anymore. You just have to look up!! That's where I was. Oh, I am still down there, but I am beginning my climb to get back up, but I feel like the desert in my life is going away, and the vessel is being filled.
Zechariah 13:9 "I will bring them through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined and will test them as god is tested. They will call on My name and I will hear and answer them."
Silver is refined by fire , the refiner must sit with his eye steadily fixed on the furnace. If the silver is left in the furnace too long and even heated in excess in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured. The only way that he knows when the process of purifying is complete when he sees his own image reflected in the silver....
I know, you are thinking, here she goes again, posting song lyrics, but I say to you; Yes I am. Sometimes the songs say things in ways I could never describe.
This is my prayer in my hunger and need, My God is the God who provides
And this is my prayer in the fire, In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved Of more worth than gold, So refine me Lord through the flames
And I will bring praise, I will bring praise, No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice, I will declare, God is my victory and He is here
And this is my prayer in the battle, When triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ, So firm on His promise I'll stand
All of my life, In every season, You are still God, I have a reason to sing, I have a reason to worship
This is my prayer in the harvest, When favor and providence flow, I know I'm filled to be emptied again, The seed I've received I will sow
~~~~Hillsong United / Desert Song.
God know what fires come our way, and he knows how long we can endure them before He steps in. If we are to be refined like silver, then in the end, His image should be reflected in us. Who is the image others see in you? My prayer is I reflect Christ to others and that you will also be like silver and reflect the refiner; the Lord Jesus Christ!