Proverbs 25, Refined

We cannot forget that our Lord sees us as precious. He views us as highly valuable. Yet, even so there are still impurities. Just as there is a different quality to silver based on how it is refined, so too is the life of a Christian. I certainly have not always been fond of the refining process I am going though. However, I am able at this point to view this process as worthy. As I become more maleable I can see how God is smoothing away the edges he doesn't want there. I can see how there are times that He has allowed me to suffer the consequences of some actions which down the road have kept me from engaging in activities that would not be a proper vessel for Him.

I can remember a day that I walked home from a conversation between two neighbors feeling sad. One of them had invited the other one to go drinking for the night at a local restaurant/bar. They didn't at all include me in the plans. Had they invited , I would not have joined. Still, it stung to be left out. To feel unaccepted. As I sat on my bed with tears in my eyes, I realized that it was not a bad thing that they understood that wasn't something I would do with them. He showed me that because of the things that I had shared about my relationship with Christ they would not have considered asking me to go.
While that little bit of refining hurt, I began to understand that because I was living differently I wouldn't always be included which was allowing me to be a vessel for Him.

My willingness to be refined through these relationships has allowed me to create a very close and lasting friendship  with one of my neighbors. Shortly after this incident I felt led to invite one of them to a bible study. I felt insane walking next door to invite her. Yet, I walked home that day in awe of what God had done. Because when I asked, she accepted. She attended this bible study with me for several months and began to hear God speaking to her.

I can still remember  sitting in the grass of a neighbors yard when she told me of how she had been led to Christ by some people from her youngest son's preschool church. I cried such incredible tears of joy. The gift that God has given me of watching her relationship with Christ grow day by day. Watching her be baptized , her oldest son be baptized, the joy cannot be described.

Those things are what remind me that the refining process is worth it. Watching her reminds me that while refining gets hot and very uncomfortable, in the end being a vessel for Him will always be worth it.