Refine

Refine

While longing for the new thing and leaning into transition, we may not realize that the new stream of the journey is found in surrender. Has it ever been about the “new thing” or have you longed to please God no matter what? 

Part of this beautiful journey is discovering who you really are and who you have been created to be. You are coming out of one season and into the next, you see the last season began to end when the suddenly began. You may not have noticed the season was ending until you were in the midst of transition. You sense a bit of excitement enters your heart, you have no desire to be who you used to be, but how do you make sure you don’t go back? 

This desire to not be who you used to be will cause you to choose to surrender. You are abandoning every thought, action, and idea you have used to create your definition of you.  God isn’t asking you to have the answers to ensure that you don’t go back. He’s not that type of father, sitting back and waiting for you to mess up. He is your greatest cheerleader, but also the sweetest place of correction. You see, the word refine means: to free something from impurities or unwanted material. It also means to improve or perfect by pruning or polishing.

God is with you every day, he knows when you are trying to control everything. And he is there, waiting for you to surrender, to release control of your life back to him.  

Since we are receiving our rights to an unshakeable kingdom, we should be extremely thankful and offer God the purest worship that delights his heart as we lay down our lives in absolute surrender, filled with awe. Hebrews 12:28 TPT

Recently I felt the Lord asking me for more, to give him more of myself with my time, my words, my eyes, and, most of all, my routine. So I ordered a box of communion; I wanted no excuses for being out of grape juice or crackers. And I began taking communion. I would get up early in the morning before getting ready for work, spend time reading God’s word. I would write down one scripture that was speaking to my heart for the day. I would pray and take communion.  That was my altar, and as I surrendered every day, I was losing control in the most beautiful way. 

It is a choice to surrender, but amid the refining process, we come out looking a little more like who God says we are.  Refining is a continual process. That’s why you can’t get up. Surrender becomes a position of your heart. The outcome can not be explained, he is going to refine all of you, and it is going to be the most beautiful process and new posture for your life. Just remember not to buck when he hits a cavity (also known as a comfort spot).