Being refined

Sleep has been difficult these days. As I lay down, my mind races trying to make sense of all there is to process. A few mornings ago, in the wee hours of tossing and turning, a poignant thought struck me: THIS is the season of Lent.

"The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer for Easter through prayer, doing penance, mortifying the flesh, repentance of sins, almsgiving, and self-denial. " 

This season, 40 days before Easter, where for generations past, people have more intently sought the Lord. Concurrently this season where across the world we’re experiencing a forced fast of sorts: schools, church services, businesses are all closed. Nations are on lockdown: a giving up, a simplifying, interruption to our daily norm.

I wonder about God’s perspective as He looks down on a globe filled with fires of outbreak. And what does He think? Does he mourn at the suffering? I think as a good Father, He does. Does He dream of a new day when there will be no more tears, no more sickness, no more loss? Scripture tells us He does. Does He long for His people to be drawn to Him? I think so. The truth is…with one swoop of a blanket he could snuff the fire and suffocate the flames. But what will be left among the ashes after this fire is put out?

Fires burn, but they also refine. The “refining fire” is talked about through scripture. These fires purify- burn away the dross and the dead, and leave a cleaner, purified new life.

 And I will put this third into the fire,
    and refine them as one refines silver...
They will call upon my name,
    and I will answer them.
I will say, ‘They are my people’;
    and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’” Zechariah 13:9

 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:7

The timing seems interesting. The scope of the whole world experiencing this at the same time is mind-blowing. I do have to wonder: where is God wanting to refine us, our families, our society at large? Where can we apply the ancient spiritual disciplines of Lent to pray, to confess our sins (both personally and corporately), to give, to seek the Lord more intently?

In this “refining fire” I am noticing my own sin: selfishness, irritability, the desire to control, my love of schedules & routines, finding identity in my work and relationships. I want that to be burned away and come out of this a little more refined. How about you? What is rising to the surface?

The truth is…Easter will come. There will be a day where this is all a strange memory and we’ll be reminded of NEW LIFE, and we’ll return to our “normal” lives. I guess I’m wanting to return different, changed, transformed, a little more refined from walking through this fire. How about you?