Test by Fire

This weekend I had the opportunity to see The Whisnants in concert.  I am an avid fan of Southern Gospel music and The Whisnants are one of the best groups in the industry.  One song sung this weekend has stuck with me all week and made me think about the transforming power of God and the pressings of life.  Here is the lyric:

“Here on the potter's wheel,
I find myself once more,
My faults and frailties
Bring me here just like before,
With strong and loving hands
The pressure is applied,
Oft times I tremble as
He puts me through the fire”

(“I’ll Trust the Potters Hand” by Sandy Blythe)

As a Christian, I have heard time and time again that God is molding and making us to be more like Him.  God molds us to be all that He wants us to be just as a potter molds the clay in order to produce an artwork of beauty (Isaiah 64:8).  I have grown to accept that God is the leader of my life and that I need Him to continuously keep me on the wheel until I become the person He wants me to be.  Molding happens in the quiet moments of life, during prayer, in a church service, while serving on a missions trip, and other times when God chooses to reveal Himself to his children.  I accept that molding, though it may be tough at times to change, is for my better. 

The specific line in this song that went straight to my heart is “oft times I tremble as He puts me through the fire”.  For those of us that have worked with pottery before, we know that before pottery is finished, it must be put through the fire so that it can be used for its intended purpose.  I have had discussions lately with fellow Christians my age and we have examined the reasons why we think many students that call themselves “Christians” break down so easily and accept the terms of the world.  One reason I believe this happens so often is because after God changes our hearts on His potter’s wheel, many are surprised that pressure and challenging times may come.  The test that we go through as God molds and remolds us will significantly impact our testimony. 

I am reminded of three Hebrew men whose names where Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3).  In prayer, they sought God and knew Him sincerely.  When King Nebuchadnezzar issued a decree that the people should only worship his idol, the three Hebrew children did not bow and were thus thrown into a fiery furnace.  You know the story.  While looking into the fire, the observers noticed that four people, not three, were walking around in the midst of the fire.  The door of the furnace was opened and the three Hebrews walked out unhurt.  Who was the fourth man in the fire?  It was God.  This shows Christians that when God allows us to go through the fire, He doesn't leave us.  Hebrews 13:5-6 tells us that God “will never leave us nor forsake us.  So we may boldly say: ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” 

As you live a life fulfilling your destiny, there will be times that you will be put through the fire.  But take courage in knowing that you are never alone and that this test will strengthen you so that you can fulfill His purpose for your life.  If you take this to heart, I know I will see you on the highway to success!