A Refiner's Fire

Fire is said to be man's good friend but bad enemy. From the beginning of human civilization, fire, without doubt, is one of man's greatest discoveries. It is after all, the master of destruction from which comes renewal and refining of matters. Anything that comes into contact with it, will be burned into ashes of dust. Life, in a way, is seen as a series of fire tests.

Our lives are neither mundane nor routine. At times we are at the peak of our happiness, yet to reach joy. At some other times, we would be groping in the dark valleys, succumbing to our injuries, sorrows, despair, confusion, anxiety, and the list goes on. This is like a journey being tested by fire. It is in such times, we need to see a tiny beacon at the end of the tunnel. If we just continue towards that direction, we will soon discover, it is a great pillar of fire waiting to refine and to renew.

There's a Chinese saying : "Genuine gold will not be destroyed by fiery flame". Scriptures says in Romans 12:1-2, that we are to be renewed in our mind daily, not to conform any longer to the pattern of the world for we are living sacrifices. We need to examine our lives, to really dig out any impurities in us. Do we have a habit that needs to be rebuked and corrected? Any conflicts that need to be acknowledged and dealt with? Anything in our past that needs to be brought to light and renewed and then refined further so that the past has no grip on us anymore? Any unforgiven sins? Any reconciliation yet to be carried out? Are we involved in unhealthy relationship? What about our past glories? Have we been challenging the authorities set up, be it the law of the country, or at comfy home, or at busy workplace or at sheltered school?

We are very much motivated by our sight, aren't we? We wont believe something bad is going to happen until we face it ourselves. Not many of us are risk takers. But have we not realized it that many times we need to go through the Refiner's Fire Test, that is to take the step of faith? Just like Daniel and his 3 friends who went through the fiery furnace without being hurt. They were bold enough to step into it and they came out alive. I believe we don't need that kind of FIERY EXPERIENCE to wake us up.

The moment we gained the right to be children of God, our value system will be challenged. Our principles had been challenged so much that we have no other choice but to submit and obey. Our mind need to be renewed. Our spiritual man need to be rejuvenated, refreshed and refined. Yes, it is tough, almost an impossible task. Just like no individual can get close enough to a pillar of fire without protection, many of us wont dare to face the fiery tests of life without our armour.

Armour? What kind of armour? Our armour is simply the WORD of GOD. After all BIBLE is actually Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. We need to constantly challenge our selfish life principles with the highest standard of principles found in the BIBLE. Yes, we wont make it to the top, but at least we make sure we would want to pass the test of FIRE - A REFINER's WORK.