Crucibles

             The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. (Proverbs 17:3)

There’s an oft-repeated story about a silver-smith testing his silver by the quality of his reflection in the silver. We’re told that God tests our hearts by the quality of His reflection in our hearts, and we’re told that often we have to endure a lot of “heat” in order to separate the dross from the precious metal.

But… when the heat is on, we tend to tell people they must be doing something wrong. If there weren’t sin/dross in their lives, God wouldn’t have to punish us. The problem is that the heat isn’t punishment. It’s anti-biotic. It’s solution. It’s repair. And it may well be an indication that we’re doing something right – that we’ve reached a point that God thinks is suitable for dross removal.

What is harder is when the “heat” applied is silence, or a decided lack of applied pressure and heat? When we are facing a “dark night of the soul,” or even a short silence on God’s part, we tend to respond in the same way. What can be wrong with us, that God has given up on us?

While purity may not be God’s only goal for us, purity is one of His goals. First, purity does not mean abstaining from extra-marital sexual relations. It means much more. As stated earlier, it has to do with His reflection – His character – being seen in us. And while five seconds of purity may be better than yesterday’s 4.9 seconds, or the 3 seconds the day before the goal is for it to be the norm. Purity is strengthened by resistance – and prolonged resistance.

When we feel most without Him may well be when we grow closest to Him.