Many admire the beauty of colored glass sparkling in the light. The artist skillfully uses it to create stained glass. After choosing a pattern, she breaks the glass. Next, she grinds its edges smooth and arranges the pieces. Eventually, she transforms it into stained glass, matching the image in the artist’s mind.
Just as the artist cuts and grinds the glass, so God forms us into his image. Before God begins crafting us, he sees the finished product—more beautiful than we could imagine.
Sometimes when difficulties beset us, God works to refine us. He takes the broken pieces of our lives, cuts them into proper shapes, and grinds them smooth.
Cutting and grinding may not be pleasant, but God, our designer and artist, will complete the work he has begun. The longer he works in our lives, the more we resemble his image. The more we yield to his touch, the more his light shines through us.
Someday all the jagged edges of our lives will be smoothed by God’s touch; someday he will shape us into his work of art, allowing his love to softly glow through the colors of our lives.
Refining God, thank you for working to create beauty in me. Even though cutting and grinding may be unpleasant, the result is worth it. Thank you for forming me into your image.
Hebrews 13: 21b “May he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Growing Our Faith Together 