A crucible is defined as a place or an occasion of a severe test or trial. It’s a place or situation in which different elements interact to produce something new. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus speaks of the seed being scattered on good soil, but then being immediately snatched away by the birds or the wind. Isn’t that true of how it works sometimes for us? I hear something in a message at church, or I’m watching a video on YouTube and it really resonates in my heart. I feel conviction from the Holy Spirit and in that moment, I am ready to deal with it and from this point forth, to never go back again. And literally an hour later, it is as if that convicting message or word never registered at all. What is that?
I believe that is what Jesus is speaking of in this story. Dave Ramer says, “The strategy of the enemy is to get it out of your heart immediately. It’s the crucible of life. When you are tested and you stumble right away, the enemy wants you to conclude that it [this faith in Christ thing, Christianity, etc] really doesn’t work.” Jesus is describing strategies of the enemy to choke the Word out of our lives. The reality is that good fruit-producing trees take time to grow and mature. At the same time, the soil of our heart must be able to receive the Word and thus bear fruit. Many times, we withdraw when we face our crucible because it can overwhelm us, and we don’t feel like we are going to make it through. We are thrown off by the intensity of the trial, or the level of the pain, and often we forget that verse that says, “But remember this—the wrong desires that come into your life aren’t anything new and different. Many others have faced exactly the same problems before you. And no temptation is irresistible. You can trust God to keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it, for he has promised this and will do what he says. He will show you how to escape temptation’s power so that you can bear up patiently against it” (I Cor. 10:13). Don’t forget, the enemy is a devourer. He’s looking to take you out. He might hit you harder than you think you can bear. James encourages us with seemingly impossible words, when he says to count our trials all joy. “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way (James 1). Sometimes I read those words and think, “Really? I am supposed to try and be joyful in the middle of this?” Cameron and I were talking yesterday about the hope of eternity and joy in the midst of trial. And we reference those who were literally being torn apart and tortured for the sake of Christ and whist being burned at the stake, were singing praises and confessing the name of Jesus. It certainly gives me perspective on those things that I consider trials in my life, but certainly pale in comparison to many around the world who even now are being persecuted and beheaded for their faith in Christ. It doesn’t diminish my struggle, but their testimony of faith – past and present – cause me to know that with the help of God (who promised to stand with me through the trial so that I will become a mature tree with strong roots) I can overcome this momentarily light affliction knowing that I will gain patience and eternal perspective.
Those who remain faithful in the midst of crucibles have gone before us as examples of imperfect vessels used by God.
- Daniel was an earnest man who sought The Lord and boldly prayed day and night. When the crucible of life hit him, he stayed strong with God. His life in exile was mundane day-to-day government service, yet with an excellent spirit he served faithfully and was tremendously used by God.
- David was one who would gaze upon the beauty of God and his heart remained steadfast firm no matter what his crucibles were. Even in the midst of all his mess ups, God counted him so worthy to have His son descend from his lineage.
- Abraham was counted righteous because he followed God — from moving to an unknown land, in the barrenness of his wife, to having to nearly sacrifice his son, he stayed the course and kept His eyes on Yahweh.
- Joseph did not walk away from faithfulness on a private level even in the midst of his crucible. He was lied about and thrown in jail for years, yet God raised him up to second in command of the entire nation of Egypt and gave him management skills to provide food for the world during a 7 year famine.
The reality is that in our culture of excess and constant distraction, our greatest challenge is our propensity for complacency and lukewarmness. Staying faithful is hard! Yet, without faith it is impossible to please God! It’s easy to get excited and make commitments at mountaintop conferences and revival times. The purpose of revival is to remove all hindrances to His heart. So after those meetings, what do we do? I go to OneThing and get all excited and pumped up, but what about when I get home and return to the reality of the mundane schedule of life? Do I engage his Word on a daily heart level? Do I allow those things of life – social media, entertainment, other distractions – to keep me from what I know is good and true? And then, when the trials come, do I run to His Word or do I run to worry? Do I just say forget it, this isn’t working and smooth myself with sin? That’s what many of us do because that’s an easier fall back position than trying to deal with the trial.
The purpose of a trial or a crucible to produce something new. Isaiah 43:19 says, “Behold I am doing a new thing and it is about to spring up…can you see it?” And often I miss it. I get focused on the pain of the reforming and miss the new thing that is unfolding in me. I get focused on the wrong thing. There is purpose in the crucible. There is purpose in the pain. There is purpose in the momentary light affliction. Elements are interacting in the spiritual and natural realms and causing something new to spring up in my inner man. It is producing a glorious work in me …. Can I see it?