24 is Pure Gold!
Today, Clay, you are 24 years old. Kobe’s number! How is this possible?! You are the same age your dad was when I married him. He seemed older than you feel to me. Perspective is interesting isn’t it?!
I wonder at what I can say to you today that would be even be close to what I want to express to you. You are my son. Actually, my only begotten son! And my favorite son! I can remember all of your 2 dozen birthdays and wish I could relive them.
24 karat gold is the purest unit that the precious metal is. The Bible talks about the refining process of precious metals like gold and silver as a comparison to the process that God does in each of our lives. While I would never want to wish that God would “turn the heat up” in anyone’s life, I do know that it is the only way to transform us into the image of His Son. We are similar to lumps of unrefined gold. The sacrifice of God’s Son to reconcile us shows just how much he values us — even while we are lost and separated from him. He is the refiner and we are unrefined gold, full of impurity and full of potential beauty. God loves us too much to leave us as we are because our impure selves cannot reflect clearly all of who He is!
Our fullest joy is realized in the growing brilliance of our reflection of Him in our lives. The refining process is hot. To refine gold, heat must be applied to force the impurities to the surface. As the impurities rise, they are removed and more heat is applied. This process continues and continues, heat is applied and re-applied, until the gold is pure. The refiner knows the gold is pure when he looks into the gold and sees His clear reflection. We know that it isn’t easy but it does yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness (Heb. 12). The process ends when we meet Jesus face to face, and he looks into our faces and sees his clear reflection.
May this year bring you more glimpses of God’s refining work in your life and His power displayed in and through you. I love you Clayton and I want you to know I can see Jesus in you. Keep reflecting the King! – Mom <+><