Around the turn of the twentieth century, a bar of steel was worth about $5 . . . But the more it was shaped, hammered, put through the fire, beaten, pounded, and polished, the greater its value.
May we use this analogy as a reminder to be still, silent, and long-suffering, for it is those who suffer the most who yield the most. And it is through pain that God gets the most out of us for His glory and for the blessing of others.
Oh, give Your servant patience to be still,
And bear your will.
Our life is very mysterious. In fact, it would be totally unexplainable unless we believed that God was preparing us for events and ministries that lie unseen beyond the veil of the eternal world–where spirits like tempered steel will be required for special service.
The sharper the Craftsman’s knives, the finer and more beautiful His work.
~L.B. Cowman in Streams in the Desert (updated by Jim Reimann), October 24
In the stillness,
Sandy
Welcome to the Still Saturday Community where we pause after a busy week, move in quiet pilgrimage, maybe linger a while in some still place, and soak in the beauty of images and reflect on the depth of sparse words. We’d love for you to join us. Grab the button and link up below. We all love to hear if something especially speaks to your heart, but please don’t feel pressured to comment. Simply take some time to be still together, to gaze long and drink deep.
“This momentary light affliction is working in us an eternal weight of glory” is the scripture that came to mind when I read your beautiful post.
Yes. And to remember that our moments are less than an eyelash twitch in eternity.
Such a beautiful and encouraging analogy. I have my mama’s copy of “Streams in the Desert” – I should use it in my devotional time next year. Praying you are getting some rest, my beautiful friend. xoxox
Some sweet treasures in there. We’ve all been sick with nasty colds, but remembering that this, too, shall pass. 🙂
Oh Sandra! Your thoughts so touched my heart today! “Oh God, give your servant patience to be still and bear your will.” Amen! A beautiful and perfect prayer to begin this day! God bless!
God bless you, Mary. Sending a hug.
This is such a beautiful analogy about the steel band. You know, looking back to before I was a believer and where I’ve come to, I am actually thankful for those moments when God bent me and shaped me to be the woman I have become today. And I love it not in a “look at me I am awesome” kind of way but in a “Praise God that He brought me from where I was, and through trials and hardships, tears and pain– He set me on a path to be the best version of me I can be. And that makes me smile.
A beautiful offering today, Sandra, thank you 🙂 I pray your daughter is coming along well. Blessings.
AMEN!
Beautiful, Sandra! May He sharpen, shape, and refine us into His image. Thanks for hosting & God bless.
This is a perfect thought to pause upon and just let the truth of your words resonate. God will always work out a blessing in our lives if we are willing to surrender each moment in faith, trusting that He is in the midst of it all.
Thanks for the gentle pause to think and reflect.
Blessings,
Dawn
Such beautiful thoughts from Streams. It may be time to pull it out for my devotional next year 🙂 It was my aunt’s favorite devotional. Grateful to have read these words this morning!
So now I see it: spiritual maturity is welcoming the reshaping, rather than pleading to be delivered from it.
This is an epiphany for me, Sandy–I knew that in my head, but my heart didn’t get it until this moment, reading your words. Thank you, sweet friend. Thank you. And God bless you.
Thanks for this. Have patience and hear Your will. Love it.
Blessings,
Janis
“Our life is very mysterious. In fact, it would be totally unexplainable unless we believed that God was preparing us for events and ministries that lie unseen beyond the veil of the eternal world–where spirits like tempered steel will be required for special service.”
*sigh*
There come moments (yesterday was one of them) when I can grow weary of the struggle this life often brings. Physical pain, loss, loneliness, and emotional turmoil and yet when I intentionally refocus on the cross of Jesus I am reminded that what we endure here is for an eternal good, it’s to refine me to be used for His glory. Thank you sweet friend for reminding me of this once again.
May Jesus help me bear the weight of these “light and momentary” afflictions as I follow Him.
What an wonderful ideas–that we’re being tempered and prepared for a work in the next world as well as this one.
I needed this today. Thank you!