Two-minute read.
Diamonds form under pressure. Taking an enormous amount of time, carbon atoms crystallize into a diamond because they undergo intense heat and pressure. Man-made diamonds take a few weeks to generate using modern technology.[1] The more pressure diamonds experience, the purer they become.
Silver and gold, when heated, separate the dross from the precious metals, causing it to float to the surface. Metal workers scoop the impurities off the top of the boiling treasures, purifying them. Silver and goldsmiths repeat the process until the precious metals reach the desired purity.
And God tests our hearts through similar methods. Immense pressure and turning up the flames in life reveal quickly what resides in our hearts. For years, whenever I felt the fire of life’s challenges intensify, I responded with anger, a response I had learned in my childhood. But since I’ve submitted my life to Christ, I respond differently.
Jesus never used harsh words, always responding in love. When we mimic Him, we’ll do what He did. Allowing Christ to lead our lives transforms them, but only if we let go of our old ways and choose to respond in a different way. In the most recent testing, I performed better than I ever have before, but I still have areas where I can improve.
Life with God doesn’t happen all at once, but instead takes place day by day. On a journey with God, like the goldsmith, He continues to refine us, removing more dross from our hearts the longer we walk with Him.
Allow God to test your heart, exposing the areas that need work. Let the Creator transform you each day, living into His purpose, becoming more like Jesus, and experiencing life in abundance as He intends.
Journal Question:
In what ways has God tested your heart?
What dross has God removed from you?
Describe what a purified heart means to you.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for testing our hearts and purifying them. When the flames roar up around us, help us to respond like Jesus, with love and grace, so that His light may shine through us.
IJNIP. Amen
[1] https://www.forevermark.com/en-us/our-diamonds/natural-diamonds/the-miracle-of-a-diamond/#:~:text=Deep%20in%20the%20earth,how%20truly%20rare%20diamonds%20are.
