Standing Inside The Fire

Cassie Standing Inside The Fire
Photo by Uncle "John Arthur Photography"

"And I will put this third into the fire,
    refine them as one refines silver,
    and test them as gold is tested.
They will call on my name,
    and I will answer them.
I will say, 'They are my people';
    and they will say, 'The Lord is our God.'” Zech 13:9

When she was younger, I called her Sassy Cassie. She can still be a bit sassy. She, as most of us do, has fought the refining process as well as she could. Thankfully, God is patient and loves all of his children continuing always to soften our hearts toward Him that we might live abundant lives in Him. The refining is not easy on the person that is being refined or on anyone around them. But, it is better to withstand the fiery ordeal of refining then never to step inside those refining fires. It is better to withstand the refining process while young so that as we grow old, we can joyfully say, "The Lord is my God."

For most of her life, I have reminded Cassie to "live life." Life is much more pleasant when we get up and actually experience the awesome life and all the gifts that God has given us. Focus on truly living life in Christ and you will know joy and peace.

Garth Brooks reminds us in his song:
     Standing outside the fire 
     Standing outside the fire 
     Life is not tried it is merely survived 
     If you're standing outside the fire

Do not fear the refining fires. God is with you even in those fires. Live life!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Daniel 3 - Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego Standing Inside The Fire

The story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego is read during every Vigil of Easter at Zion. After the first year of me stumbling over their names, others now volunteer to read that story. Every time I hear the story I cannot help but think of Garth Brooks song "Standing Outside the Fire." There are very few country songs that I actually enjoy, but this is one of them.

"There's this love that is burning
Deep in my soul
Constantly yearning to get out of control
Wanting to fly higher and higher
I can't abide
Standing outside the fire

Standing outside the fire
Standing outside the fire
Life is not tried, it is merely survived
If you're standing outside the fire"

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego weren't into merely surviving. They knew there was something more and because of their desire to love and serve God, they were willing to literally stand inside the fire. They did so without a hair of their head being burned.

Humankind has a tendency to want to take the easy route to nowhere. Christians actually have a goal in mind as we journey in and toward that heavenly kingdom where we live in the light and love of God's eternal presence.

The journey sometimes takes us through some pretty fiery trials. Remember, though, that when your journey takes you through the fire, just as precious metals are refined with fire, so are we.

Live life... don't be standing outside the fire!

God's Peace - Pr. J