God Is Forging You

Dearest Readers, what if I told you that your flaws are what God is using to make you into a stronger, better, appealing person? You see, God is in the business of taking flawed people like you and I, and forging us into his image – and he is exceptionally good at it. Last week I was learning a little bit about how steel is made, and heard something fascinating. Iron ore, the primary component of steel, is very ductile (bends easily) and lacks strength needed for modern applications. However, when one adds 0.3% carbon atoms (scientifically known as “flaws” or “defects) and adds some heat, something incredible happens. The iron atoms are no longer allowed to slide on eachother, and a much stronger, more resilient metal is formed – steel, which is the basic building block for most man-made things. Similarly fascinating is that when one takes an alumina crystal, a cloudy colorless and otherwise unappealing crystal, and adds 1% chromium “flaws” and some heat, rubies are formed. It doesn’t just stop there – this is also how emeralds and sapphires are formed. By adding flaws, an undesirable crystal is made into a precious gemstone. What if I told you that God is doing the exact same thing within you right now? God gives all of us small flaws, and for the most part we shun our flaws, likely because we do not understand God’s purpose for them. To God, these 0.5% flaws are not flaws at all – He gives us these traits, applies a little bit of heat (or trials), and completes His work. When He is finished, we are made stronger, more resilient, and better. While human science might deem chromium inside of alumina to be a “flaw”, the result is a gorgeous gemstone, also called a precious stone. We are God’s steel, God’s precious stones. He takes us and makes us into the building blocks of His kingdom. He takes us and makes us into new, gorgeous creations. It might take some time and heat, but God is molding us into the people He has called us to be.