IDareToHope

Have I ever told you about throwing seaglass back in? Every so often on my salty-aired escapades, I come across a piece of glass that is still jagged, still sharp, still broken. I like to run my fingers gently over the edges, to test whether a piece is “finished” or smoothed out. If the edges are still ragged and could potentially cut or injure, I toss the piece back into the ocean.

This may seem silly, as it possibly gets washed right back up as soon as I move on… but I like to think that I’m sending it back to continue its metamorphosis into a smooth, rounded, “finished” piece of seaglass. Perhaps it will sink back to the bottom of the ocean, never to be seen again by human eyes. But perhaps it will be tossed and ground over by the sand and the waves, and wash up again someday… smooth, rounded, and perfected.

There are several analogies in the Bible about processes that are used to perfect or “finish” us as Christ-followers. Refining fire; removing the imperfections from the pure silver (1 Peter 1&4). Vine, pruning branches, and bearing fruit; we cannot bear fruit without connection and maturity (John 15). Children, growing into adults and reaching maturity; putting aside childish things (1 Cor 13).

As I gently toss unfinished pieces of seaglass back into the ocean and contemplate the rough, tumultuous ride they have ahead of them before they become smooth… I also wonder about the process God is using to perfect me. If I truly look in the mirror, I find so many traits that are sharp and unruly. So many dreams that are unpolished, immature. What will it take to present myself to God as a pure, spotless bride? Jesus. It takes Jesus.

While the sanctification process may be tumultuous, salty, and even painful at times, I know that Jesus is making me into something that people can look through and see Him. He wants to perfect me. But I must choose to submit to that process.

What is the Refiners Fire, the Salt-Water Seaglass Grinder in your life? Will you choose to walk forward into it with the Holy Spirit as your guide?

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4