Ore Processing: Our Processing

Much like processing ore to silver God processes us from sinful to righteous. In the beginning stage we are rough, dirty and at first glance not very valuable. However, God sees the truth of what can happen when He does some processing. During this stage of processing, we are cleaned off some just like the ore when removed from the earth. After we accept Christ the dirt’s removed, and processing can take place. Now it’s time for some grinding and crushing. During this phase we as children of God start to experience uncomfortable situations and circumstances. As the grinding increases to make the rocks smaller we start to have test and trials. This is done that we may have the strength to endure the complete process of righteousness. Just as water, cyanide and lime are added to raise the Ph of the ore the blood of Christ is applied to raise our righteousness. After all this the ore is sent through a jaw crusher to a grinder mill. It’s in this mill that steel balls and water are added so that this part of the grinding will turn the rocks into what is called slurry. There is much turning in this mill to make sure we get the rock to grind finely. The mixture goes through another stage where the steel balls are removed, and the mixture is put back into the mill for more grinding.

During the second stage of processing, we have the leaching phase here the slurry is put through cylinders to separate the metals from the mixture of added carbon and cyanide. Compared to the Christian life this would best be known as our first dark moments. We’re nervous, afraid even and hoping our storms pass quickly. This is usually when we realize that walking with God has its ups and downs. Next, we have the cathodes being placed in the slurry this step separates the metal from the mixture. The metal attaches to the cathodes and is removed from the mixture and what’s left is known as sludge. The sludge is the dirt and other chemicals used to clean up the metal and get it into its refining stage. Hence, we being the silver are removed from the sludge or sin.

The heavier days can sometimes weigh us down. I remember times I’d look for the exit sign on life with any issue that arose. I look back oftentimes and see how petty I was in private with my whoa it’s me pity parties. I’d try to invite Holy Spirit. He wasn’t really having it though. I remember that lovely voice saying things like pep yourself up. Smile put on some music or praise and worship the Lord. My response was usually ugh I don’t feel like it. It took a long time I mean years for Holy Spirit to pull me out of my little pity parties and teach me to fight instead. To praise, worship, pray and fast in my hardships instead of wallowing in my feelings. Funniest thing is I get so many compliments on how strong and patient I am. Especially from my family. I learned that we often admire the wrong things about people.

Like my family for example they admire my strength but not the process of what I had to endure to become strong. To become strong, we must first become weak just as the silver being refined. As we enter the fire things in life begin to melt away from us. When we look back and see fornication, drugs, alcohol, porn addictions, masturbation and gluttony dropping off our lives then we begin to understand that the fire of God is truly for our benefit. It’s not meant to hurt us though its painful stick with it and one day we will look back and see our righteousness in Him and know that it is worth it. Therefore, when we go through the fire we should begin to praise and worship Him for who He is. Fast knowing the storm doesn’t last always. Pray with understanding it’s for your good. And trust Him knowing that He has a plan and purpose for it all and that is to give you an expected end, to fulfill His promise to you.

 Scripture Zechariah 13:9