After firing our pottery we let it cool, then took it out of fire pit. It looked good, felt solid, it even "rang" as we tapped on it (well sort of). It seemed pretty good until we attempted to clean it up some.
When my wife began to wash the ashes off, the pottery began to crumble. It could not hold up, and in the end was basically worthless. Upon further investigation we discovered that although we had fired it, we had not reached the necessary temperature. If we want to make useful pottery, we need to greatly increase the heat during the firing process.
There is a spiritual application that we can make from this also. You see, we are jars made of clay containing the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 4:6-7). This is so that God gets the glory and not us. But what good is it if we are unfired and ready to crumble?
You may say that God uses imperfect people, and I totally agree. However, God takes these imperfect people and makes them who and what He desires them to be. This involves the firing process. He must refine us if He is to use us. Remember Peter? He was ready and willing to die with Jesus, or so he thought. He crumbled in a moment of weakness, all of his zeal was forgotten.
Trials tend to purify us. They refine us. Things deep down inside of us, things we don't realize we are capable of, tend to come up to the surface when under pressure. It is in times of testing that we learn how to lean upon God, to let Him cleanse us to strengthen us, to deliver us.
The testing of our faith produces endurance (James 1:3-4). Like Peter, we might fail, but next time we know ahead of time and find victory. Over time that victory becomes a way of life for us. That is endurance, a maturing process. So often the trial comes and we try to run from it. Trials are not fun. But here we see that we should let it be an opportunity to learn endurance.
Self confidence is a major detriment to the Christian life. Paul the apostle writes of affliction so severe, so beyond his strength, that he despaired of life itself. What was the purpose? To trust in God, instead of himself (2 Cor 1:8-9). I often wonder if some of the problems I go through have this as their purpose. It is hard to let go and leave everything in God's hands. It's easy to say when things are going good, but hard to do in the middle of the storm.
A few chapters later Paul calls these trials "momentary light affliction". The ultimate result of overcoming through our trials is an unimaginable weight of glory. We are being prepared for eternity. All that we face now is temporary. Paul who faced tremendous trials learned to look at the eternal, the unseen future (2 Cor 4:17-18).
Peter also has this in mind when he exhorts his readers to stand up under trials. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:6-9 NASB).
God is preparing us for eternity with Him. It is through much tribulation that we enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).
It is so tempting to desire an easy and carefree life. Who wants trials and troubles? Our flesh desires the easy way. But what happens when a crisis overtakes us and our faith has never been exercised? What happens when we appear before Jesus and discover our faith is a mere intellectual dead faith?
In Hebrews we read that God disciplines those He loves so that they may share His holiness. On the flip side, those who have never experienced the discipline of the Lord are illegitimate children (Hebrews 12:5-11).
It is far better now to learn to trust in God through the storm, to let Him shape and mold us for His purpose and glory. Someday it will all be worth it, as we see Jesus face to face.
