i realize patience is a virtue. i just hate having to be in the part of being patient. (umm that "being" stuff also means there is character working itself into me...)
yesterday i was reminded (while watching stuff burn in our fireplace..) that a log is consumed when it is laid down. there is even a point when breaking it helps it burn more completely. certain areas of the log were burned first, and then the fire moved on to other parts, but it did not consume the entire thing all at once. and what seemed to take forever to burn was in actuality, a short time period. so moral of the story.... to have character produced in me (liken it to a beautiful, sparkling diamond being produced - i prefer to think of a treasure coming out of the fire instead of ashes..) i must - put myself completely into what produces heat and pressure, allowing a consuming of parts of my life God has brought to my attention. (so glad He doesn't expose EVERYTHING all at once - it would probably stop my heart..) the parts can be cleansed by the fire that purifies. and what seems to take forever to produce a wonderful result is, in fact, not as long as i think it will be. (longer than i hope of course. wish a deep work could happen overnight, but that is highly unlikely...)
it was a cool picture of what happens when i surrender to the purifying of God. He turns up the coals and uses life to clear out my motives, attitudes, etc. and He is loving while it happens. anytime i call out to Him there is always an answer and strength to stay in the place and be changed, even when i want so desperately to escape and get away from it all. He promises if i will allow Him to change me, the product will be so much better than what i gave up. would have to say it is worth it.
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