A cake is a combination of many different ingredients, mixed together into a batter. But for the batter to have form it must be poured into a pan and baked. Without the heat of baking the batter will not become a cake.
This is not different from the way we are formed. When God creates each one of us He combines beautiful and unique giftings together, looking ahead to who we will become. We have the ingredients, and His potential is within us, but for the aroma and beauty of His creation to become evident, probably we will go through a time of testing (of "fire"). If we don't shrink from this we will become seasoned in Him, and the "flavor" of our lives will become as sustenance and blessing for others.
Even as steel is tempered by intense heat to be made stronger, we are enabled to help others becuase of the "shaping" of the Lord in our times of testing. In these times we gain understanding and wisdom which cannot be learned any other way. If He "stirs us up" or "tests" us we can know that His hands are working to make us better! We never become failures or "discards" in Him. He "tempers" us to increase the beauty and "flavor" of our lives.
Who would not want to become all that they can be according to the plan and design of our very awesome God? What opportunity we have! Fulfillment in Him will always be greater than anything we can even imagine!
"For You, O God, have proved us; You have tried us as silver is tried, refined, and purified."
Psalm 66:10 Amplified bible
"Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name."
Psalm 63:3-4 KJV
© 2010 Arlene Schwartzkopf