“Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel.”
Just remove the dross. Well, that certainly sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? Just take off your coat. Just turn on the lights. Just eat the ice cream. Wouldn’t that be nice. Having our lives in a condition for the Master Craftsman and Creator—God—to conform us into the image of His Son is His task and goal. Being in the condition for that to occur is not simple. However, there are no shortcuts. It’s also important to remember that He is committed to the process. He loves us too much to allow us to remain the same. He knows the dross in our story will destroy us. Here’s what that process looks like in the world of silver: “A silversmith removes dross from silver by heating the metal to a high temperature until it melts, causing impurities (dross) to rise to the surface. The dross is then skimmed off, and this process can be repeated multiple times to purify the silver further.” (AI source) Ouch. That does not seem like a fun process for a flesh-and-blood person to go through. As followers of Jesus, we have stepped into eternity and will ultimately be like Him. As painful as life must—yes, must—be to allow God to scrape off the impurities (sin), we will spend all eternity grateful that He did. The challenges of life are a gift. I know from personal experience that it can be hard to recognize that gift when we are in the midst of the heating process. Today, embrace the process. #BeTheEdge
“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” Romans 8:29 NIV
