And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’
– Zechariah 13:9
The Lords testing is to prove true the commitment of His people. Will they fold under the pressure, and bend in the heat? Who will they bow to in the midst of a furnace? This third spoken of has mutually committed hearts…ones that reflect and return the love of Christ.
God brings me into extreme heat…quite a few times actually. But, it is through suffering that I am perfected; that my love is made more effective and proven true, steadfast. And in this way others will know who I follow as I love others the way Christ loved me.
Lord disfigure me into the image of Your Son. The old ways of love and affection, would You burn them away…lost in the burning passion of Your loving kindness. Grow my heart that I may edify others in a greater capacity. Bring a greater kindness to surface out of the overflow of Your person within me. Help me to see others the way that You saw me.
Amen