A Crucible
I looked up several sources for the definition of a crucible. To sum up, what I found, a crucible is:
a ceramic or metal container in which metals or other substances may be melted or subjected to very high temperatures
a severe test
a place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development
As I sit here in my office putting my thoughts together, I can see outside my window. Today is April 6th. The sun is shining brightly. The trees on the main street in my town are blooming. Birds are singing. And in the midst of it all, we are going through a world pandemic. One that prevents us from being with each other unless we are at least 6 feet apart. No hugs, no handshakes. No going out to lunch together. No church services. No public events. Some are sick, many have died. People are out of work. The spirits of fear and depression seem to be insidiously creeping into everyone’s mind right now, even followers of Christ.
I heard the Surgeon General, Jerome Adams, say this morning that this week would be our nation’s “9/11”, our “Pearl Harbor” of this disease. Then a thought came to my mind. It is also Holy week and I have to wonder if God isn’t trying to tell us something as these two concepts come together. For Christians, this week is a time of remembrance of the last week that Jesus walked the earth in human form. Palm Sunday, the last supper, the garden of Gethsemane, the trial, suffering and crucifixion, and the triumphant resurrection of our Lord.
Jesus surely faced a crucible for you and me. He knew what He was getting into. “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Phil.2:8) Did you know that the word crucible is derived from medieval Latin crucibulum ‘night lamp, crucible’ (perhaps originally a lamp hanging in front of a crucifix), from Latin crux, cruc- ‘cross’? I found that interesting.
Perhaps this circumstance we find ourselves in is a crucible. Our time of testing. We are realizing that those things in our lives that became “idols” are being shattered. The things that we once thought were important, no longer matter. We are realizing that our relationships and how we treat one another are important. Through this pandemic, our society is realizing the sacredness of life—the holiness of the gift of it. The fragility of our humanity and the need for a Savior is clearer than ever—a Savior who has conquered death and gives us eternal life. These are the truths we are able to share with our clients at Crossroads—whether with patients who are still able to come for our medical services or with clients we have to meet “virtually” through texting, computer, and phone.
Charles Swindoll said, “God’s tests bring all our impurities to the surface so they can be skimmed off.” I’m glad that crucibles like this one create Christlikeness. I’m praying that is what He is doing in me. “The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.” Proverbs 17:3
I’m thankful for the peace that comes in times of trouble. A peace that seems unexplainable. “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
And I’m hopeful. “…If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?… in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31,32,37-39
In every crisis, there is an opportunity. As we let God change and develop our faith through this, let’s keep our eyes open and ask Him to show us new opportunities to share His love.