Refiner’s Fire

If you’ve been in church for very long, you’re probably familiar with the song, “Refiner’s Fire,” written by Brian Doerkson in 1990.

Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold
Refiner’s fire
My heart’s one desire is to be holy
Set apart for You Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You my Master
Ready to do Your will

I sang that song as a heartfelt prayer countless times over the years and as a result, I’ve been through more fire than the average fireman. While I am thankful for the refining work of the fire and the fruit that has come of it, I think it is better to pray, “Your will be done.” That way, the trials, tribulations and persecutions are within His perfect will, rather than asking for extra helpings.

As believers, especially those who answer the call to preach the Gospel, we need not ask. We will go through the Refiner’s Fire. There is simply no avoiding it in order for there to be more of Him and less of us. It is the fire that burns away all that is not pure within us until all that remains is pure gold…