As the pastor told about an event the church would be having in March he said a word that captured my attention: purge. He went on to talk about getting rid of our clutter and giving it to those who might have a need for it. My mind didn't immediately go to the clutter I might have in my home though (though I'm sure I have plenty of it); my mind went to the junk that is within me that needs to be purged. Those things that don't need to be a part of my life. Oh, sometimes we (or me anyway) would like to think we're doing good and that there's not any junk there. But you know, sometimes we have stuff buried so deep we may not even realize it's still there until some circumstance ignites it again. Years ago I was dealing with a situation and in the process of working through that issue God showed me something buried much deeper that needed to be dealt with. It was still affecting me, despite my thinking I had gotten past it. I thought about this story about the silversmith and wanted to share it:

THE SILVERSMITH

Some time ago, a few ladies met to study the scriptures. While reading the third chapter of Malachi, they came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse:

    "And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver" (Malachi 3:3).

One lady decided to visit a silversmith, and report to the others on what he said about the subject.

She went accordingly, and without telling him the reason for her visit, begged the silversmith to tell her about the process of refining silver. After he had fully described it to her, she asked, "Sir, do you sit while the work of refining is going on?"


"Oh, yes ma'am," replied the silversmith; "I must sit and watch the furnace constantly, for, if the time necessary for refining is exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured."

The lady at once saw the beauty and comfort of the expression, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

God sees it necessary to put His children into the furnace; but His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for us. Our trials do not come at random, and He will not let us be tested beyond what we can endure.

Before she left, the lady asked one final question, "How do you know when the process is complete?"

"That's quite simple," replied the silversmith. "When I can see my own image in the silver, the refining process is finished."

-Author Unknown