I got to enjoy something for the very first time in my life last week; painting a ceramic figurine. It was so much fun and so relaxing. I chose my piece to work on – a plain white figurine. The instructor was great and told me exactly what to do. My part was completed with the painting. In a few days I can pick it up after it has finished its time in the kiln. Can’t wait to see the finished product.

Scripture says, God has “chosen us” ( Eph. 1:4). So when we become His child He begins a work in us. The colors that God chooses for our lives will vary – sometimes cheerful colors, others dark and dreary. And He may allow us to be put into the furnace of affliction – not to punish us, but to produce a life that will be beautiful for the Lord Jesus Christ. Though my figurine will only be put into the furnace (the kiln) one time, God may place us into “the furnace” several times during our life. His desire is to see us change from that “old man,” that “old flesh” and become more like His Son. One day that will be fulfilled in its entirety as I John 3:2 says: “but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

We couldn’t be in any better hands as He paints the colors of our lives.