Reflecting the Refiner in BusinessSample

God's Refining Fire

One of the oldest methods of refining metals is refining by flame. And through the refinement process the gold is melted, and the dross, or the unwanted impurities, rise to the top of the molten metal, and it's skimmed off. The result is purified gold. This is the analogy that God used when He was speaking through the prophet Zechariah. In Zechariah 13:9. It says, "I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure. I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'These are my people,' and they will say, 'The Lord is our God.'" 

When you lay down your will, your thoughts, heart, and light at the feet of Jesus, God will refine and purify you. He will burn anything that is unlike Him. And in the process of doing so, you'll be able to be an even more effective representative of Jesus Christ. You will re-present Christ to those around you, to your sphere of influence in the marketplace. It can be a painful process because it's a fight between the desires of the flesh, and the desire of your spirit, and even the battle with your soul, your mind, your emotions. But when you allow the Lord to purify you, you live a life, and run a business that is clean, a special utensil for honorable use. You're ready to be used by the Lord for every good work. 

You may have to be extra careful about what's coming into your eyes. And what's coming into your ears. You may have to put away some old habits! Because a new level in your business, and a new level in your spiritual life, and your intimacy with God is going to require a new you. You may end up having to change even some of the dynamics of some of your closest relationships. You may go through a process of complete brokenness before the Lord, and then be rebuilt and strengthened most beautifully. You may even be called to completely stop what you're doing in business for a season. Going through a purification process with God by no means indicates that you're operating perfectly in your business. This isn't about perfection; what this is about, it's about allowing God to do a perfecting work in you.