In the Bible, fire is most often used as the perfect picture of purifying and taking people and things down to their core.  1 Corinthians 3:12-13 says, “Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials – gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay or straw.  But on the judgement day fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done.  The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.”

I’ve become used to telling my story to others.  I’ve got “elevator” versions (1-2 minutes), “water cooler” versions (3-4 minutes) and “coffee shop” versions (30-60+ minutes).  But the conclusion is always the same:  The three most significant, transformational, breakthrough moments that God has used to bring meaning and purpose and joy to my life have all involved pain and suffering!  A marriage crisis…a vocational crisis…a health crisis.  There were times when I was in survival mode, not fully aware of all that God was doing in me.  But today, I have nothing but profound, deep gratitude to God for allowing those things to change me.  Those things needed – no, HAD to happen – in my life.

Let Him use the hard things in your life to change you.  You will thank Him the rest of your days. Just had to tell you that today in front of the warmth of this fireplace.