God ’ s Refining Process
God ’ s Refining Process
by Lina Abujamra , MD
10
Few people predict the turbulence and pain that life will inevitably bring . Lives that are filled with joy today can suddenly become bumpy and hard tomorrow , but few people make plans that consider the difficult roads that are sure to come .
You see , when a person answers the call of the Savior , it is by far the best decision in the world , but also the hardest . Answering the call of Jesus of Nazareth means following the example of the One who poured Himself out for our sake . When we are laid bare in obedience and suffering like Him , we are more useful to the King . It is this stripping that distinguishes the true saint from the casual observer and that allows us to finally reach a place of abundance in Christ .
Answering the call of Jesus of Nazareth means following the example of the One who poured Himself out for our sake
Psalm 66:10 – 12 says it best : “ For you , O God , have tested us ; you have tried us as silver is tried . You brought us into the net ; you laid a crushing burden on our backs ; you let men ride over our heads ; we went through fire and water ; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance .”
I felt as if , surely , the worst of life was behind me . I was no longer a beginner Christian . My life for Him was about to begin . I would finally reap the richness of a life completely dedicated to the risen Jesus ; I dreamed of the joys of serving Him full-time . I wondered how God would take an ER doctor and transform her into His full-time servant . I could almost taste the fullness of joy that lay ahead .
I ’ d forgotten , though , that God cares less about our titles and our jobs and more about our hearts and character . I ’ d lost sight of the fact that the Christian walk is one of refinement , leading to the total transformation of the man and woman for Christ . In other words , like all the patients who say to me : “ I didn ’ t see it coming .” It wouldn ’ t take long for my enthusiastic Yes ! to become “ Why me , why is this happening to me ?” the Christian walk is one of refinement
The next ten years would stretch me and push me to the brink of my faith . At times it felt as if my soul was being defibrillated as God continued to strip layer after layer of gruff and self and carnality from my life . At one point , I didn ’ t even think I ’ d survive . But deep in my soul was the quiet certitude that I was held by the One who loves me so deeply that He had given His own life for me . In Proverbs 25:4 God says , “ Take away the dross from the silver , and the smith has material for a vessel .” I had asked to be the kind of vessel that God could use for His purposes , and God was answering my prayers .
Adapted from Still Standing by Lina Abujamra (© 2024 ). Published by Moody Publishers . Used by permission
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