To look at something and draw a conclusion is typical for all of us.   For instance: I was in a store preparing for our daughter’s wedding; I was hoping to find some accessories for the occasion.   I remember seeing the young lady in the store and thinking how beautiful she is and ‘oh to be so young and lovely.’.   She looked at me and said, “we do not cater to your age here.”  I was flabbergasted, and left with no remark or come back whats so ever.  I felt as though I was hit in the gut!

Thinking back, I can still not believe I was treated as such.  I have always tryed to take care of myself and can assure you the insult was bad enough, but the awakening of deception was apparent and vivid.   I learned immediatley how true the old adage, ‘you can not judge a book by its cover.’   The Lord Jesus says, everything will be revealed.   The truth was revealed to me very poignantly that day.

Though I have never held myself in high regard, I can assure you I left thankful that I was not that miserable in my soul.   For I realized she must be totally miserble to treat someone so ghastly.   She presumed I was buying for me, when indeed I was looking for our ‘bride.’

We think little about our actions toward each other, unless we are prayerful people.  I have noticed when people are not refined, they are rude and contemptuous.   For it is the refinement of  Our Lord Jesus Christ that brings us to the ‘fullness of life.’    Reaching and choosing to become refined is everything.   Nothing can compare to the peace it brings.   That is not to say it does not ‘hurt’.   For in ‘trusting’ Jesus to become pure and lovely, we have reached for the stars.   For He reigns among the stars.  Perfect, Pure, and True, Jesus was refined first.   He, accepting the Father’s will set forth the example and challenge to us all.

For what is it that one can think of that does not come to its fullness  without refinement.    When we consider ‘coal’ we know it has the capacity to heat a home, but also hidden within is the possability of a diamond.   If a rare piece of coal is found to be different, and we choose to have it refined, we find the beauty that resides within.   Yet, it is the cutting and crafting of that coal that reveals the diamond for what it is.   So to with oil.  When it becomes refined we find its greatest of qualities.   Both mineals  have wealth before refinement, but it is after the ‘transfiguration’ of the objects that the true worth is revealed!

Whether we wish to experience the process of refinement or not it is only we that can choose.   No one can do it for us.   The process is arduous and grueling, and its manifestation of change is achieved only over time.   Daily and without delay, the process reaps rewards beyond all human understanding.  Trust is the key factor, for it is we who allow another to make us in His image.   Though already made in His image we reach  perfection.   For Christ is perfect.   Only God can take and remake something more beautiful from whence it began.    For this refinement process is to prove to us, that there is nothing he can not do.   After ‘screwing up’ His perfect plan by sinning, He figured out a way to make us perfect in His sight once again.   Only God can do this.    So whatever the ‘mess’ it is He and only He who can ‘unscrew’ our frailties and make them whole.

In the case of coal or oil, you know if you have ever been able to touch them they are filthy.   The coal leaves a film that is called soot.
The oil leaves a layer that is almost impossiable to remove.    Both almost impossible to clean up.   So it is with us.   Our sins are so filthy that we can not clean them up, we can not even recognize them.   It it the eyes of the Lord, ‘ten thousand times brighter  than the sun’ that sees and reveals.   Only He can do this.   No mere human, no great mind, and no physical strength.    So whoever or whatever you hold to be the answer, it is only God with the answer.  No one but He has eyes ‘ten thousand times’ brighter than the sun.

Proverbs: Chapter 3 verses 11-12

11)’The discipline of the Lord, my son, disdain not; spurn not his reproof;12)For whom the Lord loves he reproves, and he chastises the son he favors.’

Book of Sirach Chapter 23:  verses 18-19

18)”And the man who dishonors his marriage bed and says to himself, ” who can see me?   Darkness surrounds me; no one sees me; why should  I fear to sin?”   Of the Most High he is not mindful.   19) Fearing only the eyes of men; He does not understand that the eyes of the Lord ten thousand times brighter than the sun, observe every step a man takes and peer into hidden corners.”