There is a deep beauty here. A depth that I do not understand. The flames of my Refiner's blazing love burn all around me. Sometimes I wonder if my tears could extinguish the flame, but His love and grace blaze more fierce than the deepest of my sorrow.
I have asked for this season to be cut short. Prayed that the work could be accomplished in a shorter amount of time. That this wayward heart of mine would be molded in the heat quickly. Yet, all that comes is the knowing gaze of my Refiner - signaling clearly that is not His will. Then there is silence.
And, sometimes, it is deafening.
But, I am grateful for it. Even though the hurt is real, there is more running underneath, more happening than simply what meets the eye. A newness being birthed. Dross being burned away. Ultimately, the Refiner's chief joy is heating this fire again and again until He sees His reflection.
The reality is - it is impossible to be burned as long as the Refiner is close by. And, He promised to never leave. I am called to trust the loving grip of my Refiner's scarred hands.
He is at work here. He will accomplish what He set forth to do. And, the end result will be beautiful. For now, though, I give myself to the fire of His love and set my gaze on His beauty beaming from within the blaze.
