Refiner’s Fire

Not Enough

The world will tell you that the dominating influence in our lives is our past. Bad situations or problems will define the rest of life and will encouraging a feeling of unworthiness. Hurt. Abuse. Rebellion. The remainder of life can be spent in guilt and sorrow for the past. Sometimes we don’t even need a past to feel bad about ourselves. Often people feel inadequate; therefore, they do not attempt the task.

Our women’s retreat theme was caterpillars to butterflies. It simply talked about the stages in life that we all go through. When I was studying to do our opening session, I revisited the life of a butterfly. Interestingly enough when the caterpillar weaves its cocoon and goes into hiding, it is doing some amazing things. I had forgotten, or maybe had no idea, that during this stage a caterpillar literally secretes enzymes to dissolve itself down until just a few imaginal cells are left. From these few cells, it begins to recreate a different form. Obviously when enough time has been allowed, it turns into a magnificent butterfly. The once limited caterpillar that was dependent on the leaves and trees is now free to fly wherever it wants to go.

What an awesome picture in nature! 2 Corinthians 5:17 “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” The caterpillar, in order to become this beautiful butterfly, has to be willing to dissolve itself down into nothing to become something spectacular. The same is true with us. When we are saved, it is up to us to allow Christ to make us into a completely different person. I think of the fruits of the spirit, and when people really love the Lord, we can see the fruits as evidence in their lives.

Sometimes this is easier said than done. We come with baggage and wonder if God will truly take us because we are simply not enough. The good news is- even the most wonderful person on the planet would not be enough without Christ in his or her life. Isaiah 43:25: “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. “Once we have Christ, we have everything. In Deuteronomy 30:19-20 “Now choose life so that you and your children may live and that you may love your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life.” In this verse He doesn’t say – “Oh just give God what you can. He is saying HE is your LIFE, HE is everything, HE is your next breath!

The devil would like nothing better than for us to walk around feeling inadequate. He knows if we have these attitudes we will never accomplish anything for the Kingdom of God. Psalm 73:26, “My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.” I am reminded of my friend that passed away this past weekend. She could have done things when she found out she was going to die, but she concentrated on one. She decided in her heart that she would go and tell everyone that would listen about what Christ had done in her life. When her flesh and heart were failing, God became her strength and is now her portion forever! I feel she has turned from a caterpillar always dependent on medicine and help, into a magnificent butterfly who is free to worship God in an unlimited body.

It is not about us and how we feel but about a mighty God, and what He can do! Isaiah 43:1-3 “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. 2 When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. 3 For I am the LORD, your God.”

The world is focusing on what it is overcoming; Christians should focus on what they are becoming. Christ supersedes whatever happened in our past. May we always remember in Christ we are more than conquerors! Watch the clip from Mom’s Night Out with Bone’s- it nails it! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DluOhc9ZD6w)