"See, I have refined you, though not as silver. I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For My own sake I do this."Isaiah 48:10

A goldsmith begins with gold ore that is a mixture of pure gold and dross. By repeatedly putting the ore into fire, the dross is gradually burned off and the gold is slowly purified. He continues to turn up the heat until all the dross is cleared and he can see his reflection in the gold. God is like the goldsmith. He turns up the heat in our lives and continues to refine our faith so that the character of Jesus is reflected in us. In this fire God reveals the dross in our faith in Him. He shows us what is getting in the way of seeing His reflection in us. Once the dross is burned away, our faith in Him alone becomes stronger. God is refining us! And yes this "fire" is suffering. Its suffering deeply and painfully. An emotional suffering, a physical suffering. God does not limit our suffering however He does promise that He will not give us more that we can bear.

As I begin this journey into discipleship, I begin to understand what it means to "count the cost" because the cost is there and it is big. If you desire to be Christlike you may want to consider what this will entail in your life. It will require a complete 100% dependence on CHRIST and CHRIST alone. And if you think you are already 100% dependent on Him, you are wrong. You are not. And He will show you that. He will honor our request to be like Him and put you through the fire. He will test everything that means everything to you against what HE means to you. He will ask you to choose. He will make you feel so alone that only HE can fill your pain. He will bring you to a dark and lonely place and wait for you to call on Him. And if you don't call on Him, he will keep you there until you do.In Luke 14 Jesus clearly tells us what it takes to follow Him. And the cost is big. Anything that is close to our heart will be tested. The cost of discipleship is giving up ALL THINGS. The cost of discipleship is painfully letting go of worldly security and comfort. The cost of discipleship is letting go of anything that ministers to this world. The cost of discipleship will rock your world. It will pierce your heart and test your faith in a way that you cry out in sheer agony for Christ to rescue you. The cost for Jesus was His Cross and the cost for us will be our cross.

This "fire" is the fire that James say "Count all in Joy". This fire will refine us and make us like Jesus. Through our sufferings, God has promised something wonderful. And in our sufferings, HE IS THERE. He was there for me. He was there to meet me in my dark and painful cave when I called on His name. He was there to hold me and comfort me when I felt no one else was. He was there to whisper to me "Do not be afraid, for I am with you, Do not be dismayed, for I am your God and I will strengthen you!" (Is 41) He was there to say "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Heb 13) And I know His promise now. I know His desire to purify my heart. I know that when I pray for Him to make me his disciple I am asking Him to take a hold of my life and do with it what He wills. I have counted the cost and the cost is great but the reward is greater. 

I suffer for Holiness and I rejoice ! I rejoice that it is here that I find Him! It is here in my suffering that my GOD has manifested Himself to me. I count it all joy when I enter into a trial that I will see HIM standing in the midst of it with His arms open standing on His promise. My faith is put through the fire and it comes out refined.  I rejoice ! 

Jesus you are taking me on a dark and unfamiliar journey but I hold tight to YOU Lord. I cannot see in front of me and I appear to be alone but I know you are here with me. I stand before you today God firm in my faith and assured in your promise that I am in Your hands and no one can take me away from You. I know I must suffer for your Namesake and I know You are not ready to take away my pain. I ask you Lord to cover me and allow me to take refuge in your promise God. I am ready to move forward and take up my cross. I am ready Jesus to be your disciple.

In Your Holy and Mighty Name I give you My Life~

Amen