Proverbs 25:4

First of all, for those of you who are curious, my birthday was great! My biggest present was an Ipod, which i've been listening to ever since, lol. We have some CD's of dramatic productions of the Chronicles of Narnia, which i've been listening to a lot lately, and which is kinda where today's blog is coming from.

In the story that i'm listening to now, "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader", there's a boy named Eustice. He is on a ship that is journeying to the end of the world to explore. Well, everyone hates this boy, he's selfish, arogant, annoying, prideful, etc. They reach an island, and all get off to rest, and to get out of work, Eustice wanders off while no one is watching him. Through some magic and his selfishness, he is accidentally turned into a dragon! He finds himself lonely, he can't talk to anyone, he looks like a monster. The rest of the crew figure out who he is, and he becomes a great help to them, bringing them food, wood to repair the ship, warmth on cold nights, etc. His spirit is changed and he becomes a humble, helpful boy. Well, he comes to the realization that he can't go with the rest of the crew because of his size and weight, and to make it easier on the others, he leaves to the other side of the island without telling anyone. After a while, Asland, the great lion comes to him and tells him he needs to wash in a nearby pool. Before he goes in, Asland tells him he needs to undress. Eustice figures out he means for him to shed his skin like a snake. He does so, but his skin is still hard and scaley. He tries again and again, but every layer of skin that comes off, it's still hard underneath. Asland tells him he needs his help, then Asland drives his paw deep into his skin and peals off a layer thicker than any of the layers that came off before. Finally, Eustice's skin is smooth and tender, and then Asland allows him to enter the pool. When he does, he becomes a boy again, and can go on with the others on their voyage.

A children's story, i know, but there is some truth in there... Proverbs 25:4 says:

Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel.

The picture of a smith purifying a precious metal is used a lot in scripture. Often we, before God will use us, need to be purified. The things we hold on to and put before God must be taken out of our lives. The hardships and trials we all face are neccissary for our growth as Christians. We need to look at the hard situations of life, and look to God, and learn from them and grow.