Run Like the Wind!

That's what my flesh says when I am placed in the Lord's fire. I immediately want to run and sooth my burning feelings. We all do it at times. I guess that's why the Lord doesn't always choose to clue us in on the specifics. He knows how we will react.

Our work will be shown for what it is because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss... (1 Cor. 3: 13-15) Let's just get real with one another here. None of us want to have our lives tested by the Lord's fire yet according to scripture, this will be a part of the journey. I'm reminded of an incident that occured with our daughter when she was around 9 years old. She had to be disciplined for something she had done and her dad was about to spank her. She said, "Dad, please can I say something?" He said, "What?" And she proceeded to plead for mercy. We do the Lord the same way! We know we have done things in the Kingdom with wrong motives and wrong attitudes but when it comes time for those works to be tested, we don't want to go through the fire. We plead and plead for His mercy wanting this part of the journey to be overlooked. But we forget that it's His mercy that is taking us in the fire! If His merciful hands didn't guide us into the fire, we would have absolutely nothing of significance to give to those around us. Don't we want to make a difference in the lives of those we are connected to?

My friend, believe me when I say I am one of the first to take off running when its my turn for the test. I don't particularly like the smell of burning flesh nor do I like the feeling of melting flesh...very painful and uncomfortable. And it can be quite embarrassing when I look at the works of my hands and find that some have turned to an ash heap. But it is necessary. Every time I am put through this fire, I believe more and more works have a greater chance of survival. I can learn in these tests. They can make me stronger and less dependable on my own abilities. This process will probably remain one of my least favorite but it's one that is remarkably effective. And for that I am thankful.