This simple yet power-packed statement ended Todd's sermon this morning: For all of you who skipped Chemistry lab, the crucible is a little bowl (usually porcelain) which gets heated up directly by the Bunsen burner flame. It gets super hot, usually melting and calcining a substance inside of it that requires a high degree of heat. In layman's terms, it purifies by burning the heck (or crap) out of what is in it.
From personal experience, I can testify to the truth of that statement. It has always been uncomfortable, sometimes painful, even agonising. Yet the end product is so much better and sometimes even beautiful. It is kind of like having a baby -- the pregnancy is uncomfortable, the labour pains are agonising but in the end, you are usually holding a beautiful (and hopefully healthy) baby. And you hold on to that beautiful moment for the next couple of years, enduring all the diaper changes and unearthly-hour feedings. Then you hold on to "I love you, Daddy/Mommy!" and the ice-melting smiles which carry you through all the headaches and heartaches your child brings for the rest of your life. (At least so I have heard...)
So why is faith so important, so vital to life? Because FAITH is HOPE. What kind of life could one hope have without faith? Without faith, what kind of hope could one even have?
It is faith, specifically faith in God, that is carrying me through my current fire. No one likes being in the fire and I am no different. However, I am trying to keep my eye on the end goal -- becoming more like Jesus. God, in His love, will not leave me (or you) in my(your) imperfect and sinful state. He intervenes with trials, looking for us to turn to Him as He burns up the impurities within us.
God is purifying the Christ-likeness within me by burning the crap out of me.
"Faith is increased... strengthened... purified in the crucible."
From personal experience, I can testify to the truth of that statement. It has always been uncomfortable, sometimes painful, even agonising. Yet the end product is so much better and sometimes even beautiful. It is kind of like having a baby -- the pregnancy is uncomfortable, the labour pains are agonising but in the end, you are usually holding a beautiful (and hopefully healthy) baby. And you hold on to that beautiful moment for the next couple of years, enduring all the diaper changes and unearthly-hour feedings. Then you hold on to "I love you, Daddy/Mommy!" and the ice-melting smiles which carry you through all the headaches and heartaches your child brings for the rest of your life. (At least so I have heard...)
So why is faith so important, so vital to life? Because FAITH is HOPE. What kind of life could one hope have without faith? Without faith, what kind of hope could one even have?
It is faith, specifically faith in God, that is carrying me through my current fire. No one likes being in the fire and I am no different. However, I am trying to keep my eye on the end goal -- becoming more like Jesus. God, in His love, will not leave me (or you) in my(your) imperfect and sinful state. He intervenes with trials, looking for us to turn to Him as He burns up the impurities within us.
God is purifying the Christ-likeness within me by burning the crap out of me.
Lord, increase my faith!
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