Here I stand again at this familiar door. His familiar door. And once again I am ready and eager to enter. This place is massive, and it's steely exterior can be overwhelming and scary, but one cannot deny the truth that important work is done within those walls. The smokestacks are always smoking, a glow from the everlasting fires never cease and the flow of those coming and going and then returning again remain constant day and night.
It is the refinery of the Refiner.
I have been here before, but the season is calling for my return.
Lately I have been too angry too many times and I need to find out why.
Is it pride? Is it discouragement, disillusionment, disappointment? Is it fear?
I don't have those answers, but I know that what enters those doors gets purified and comes out changed.
Max Lucado says, "The refinery does for petroleum and other products what your 'heart' should do for you. It takes out the bad and utilizes the good." The Applause of Heaven
I believe I have a heart problem. And I know it is going to take me setting my face and my heart toward the Refiner, entering the door and being willing to walk through the purifying fires of the refinery. All the while, keeping my eyes on the Refiner. For what gets burned away can leave behind vulnerability and root exposure that can be painful. But my heart's cry is still that of David in Psalm 51:10
It is the refinery of the Refiner.
I have been here before, but the season is calling for my return.
Lately I have been too angry too many times and I need to find out why.
Is it pride? Is it discouragement, disillusionment, disappointment? Is it fear?
I don't have those answers, but I know that what enters those doors gets purified and comes out changed.
Max Lucado says, "The refinery does for petroleum and other products what your 'heart' should do for you. It takes out the bad and utilizes the good." The Applause of Heaven
I believe I have a heart problem. And I know it is going to take me setting my face and my heart toward the Refiner, entering the door and being willing to walk through the purifying fires of the refinery. All the while, keeping my eyes on the Refiner. For what gets burned away can leave behind vulnerability and root exposure that can be painful. But my heart's cry is still that of David in Psalm 51:10
"Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me."
and renew a steadfast spirit within me."
The season of Lent is more than just changing habits. Those outward, exterior things that we do or don't do won't produce the inner change we really desire. It is entering through the doors of the refinery and seeking His will for our lives, where those things of self get burned up and the pure will of the Refiner is revealed in us. Then the habits change. The change happens from the inside out not the reverse. The reverse is trying to do it our way with God's help, instead of allowing God's way in our lives as we surrender. Moses knew all about this when he prayed in Exodus 33:13
"Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight."
To be purified is to lose those things that are extraneous and unnecessary, those things that pollute our relationships, separate us from God, and fill our hearts with guilt and shame.
In other words: To be made pure is to be set free.
I am all about that this Lenten season.
Care to join me?
I don't know what that might look like for you. I am not even sure what it will look like for me. Can I give up anger for lent? Probably not, however I know that surrendering my own will and entering the doors of the refinery are the first steps to setting my eyes on the Refiner. I know it will be a blessed journey because the Word says so.
In other words: To be made pure is to be set free.
I am all about that this Lenten season.
Care to join me?
I don't know what that might look like for you. I am not even sure what it will look like for me. Can I give up anger for lent? Probably not, however I know that surrendering my own will and entering the doors of the refinery are the first steps to setting my eyes on the Refiner. I know it will be a blessed journey because the Word says so.
"Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God."
Matthew 5:8
for they shall see God."
Matthew 5:8
Blessings to you!
Love,
Rachael
Linking with:
JenniferTellHisStory
Lyli Thought Provoking Thursday
Barbie The Weekend Brew
Love,
Rachael
Linking with:
JenniferTellHisStory
Lyli Thought Provoking Thursday
Barbie The Weekend Brew