Pure Gold

The Miller Process of refining gold forces high-temperature chlorine gas steam to pass over impure, molten gold. When the chlorine ions meet other metals and impurities in the gold, they bond together, almost as salt crystals, and are noticed when the high flame changes color. These impurities are then easily extracted, leaving only 99.95% pure gold.

This is the process that Peter had in mind when writing to the new Christians living in Asia Minor (now Turkey). These believers were not having specific major problems such as a church division or severe persecution. They were simply living life as new believers in their own land. This alone came with its own set of struggles. After all, Jesus Himself promised us and His disciples, "And you will be hated by all for My name's sake." (Matthew 10:22) Jesus did not tell us life would be easy. He ensured us that there would be struggles and we would have problems. But He also promised a Helper, the Holy Spirit.

I'll tell you the words that have been floating through my head lately, due to some physical and emotional struggles:...depression....loneliness.....abandonment....headache.....endometriosis.....impatience.......cancer......hysterectomy........exhaustion......uselessness.....unproductive.......boring.......tired.

These are all stemming from one physical problem (yet to be diagnosed) and self-inflicted emotional struggles. And you know what? This is life! This is a part of what Jesus told us would happen and this is what Peter is referring to in I Peter 1:6-8:

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love."

That same gold that is tested by fire, relieving itself of its impurities, is still perishable. Other things can eat away at gold. It is not without flaw and certainly not without vulnerability. Jesus wants to remind me that I am the same way...vulnerable and full of flaws.

But I am called to rejoice. These physical struggles are meant to draw me closer to Him, to rely fully on Him for peace. Because when this refining period is over, I will shine (His reflection, of course) and will have nothing left but "praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ." Just because I don't see His hand working, doesn't mean It isn't working. "Having not seen you love..." Isn't that what 'faith' is all about???