I’m not the YouTube type but I have to admit that there are some really interesting and captivating videos out there. I like watching masters craft their masterpieces. The time taken is long but one can see the dedication reflecting off the product. Among the many, ring crafting is a favorite. You already know what I’m going to point out first so I’ll just skip right to it : the furnace. In every craftsmanship, some heat is involved. I’m not here to talk about the fire. I’m here to talk about you. What do you do when circumventing efforts are all for naught?

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.

Daniel 3: 16-18

Yesterday, I was compelled to read Matthew 27. It was amazing because I noticed something I hadn’t before. When our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was in court, the chief priests and elders were testifying against Him. What astounded me is that His words were very minimal. Even Pilate was marveling at Him. As normal human beings, I know that’s next to impossible. An argument can escalate out from nothing and even when we are wrong, its our nature to weasel out of it. But not Christ. He stood by and barely said anything. What was He teaching us even in his final moments before the cross?

Christ was teaching us about the clarity of a vision. When we believe in something, we hold it to the end to see it’s fruition. Christ was deep into seeing it through and while the mocking went on and on, He did not see the need to complain or speak out. He is on another level. What kind of level of concentration and love is this that leads an innocent ( the son of the Creator of the universe) man to die such a brutal death for you and me? Remember the furnace? And yet He saw His vision through.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

As children of God it is imperative to know when we are in the furnace. Why? Because we may miss the whole point all together. People will write you off or assume stuff about you or even categorize you in a social box that isn’t meant for you. Hold your peace and see God work a wonder. Your situation may need peace in order to get through what you have to go through. Recall, we are not of this world. We have a mission, to spread the Love of Christ but sadly we are too busy in our careers, hobbies and media to see the real picture. It’s being clouded everyday by distractions while Christ is saying peace be still to our troubled hearts. Silence is not weakness. When we silence the world, it helps to hear the voice of God in challenging situations. It gives us the peace to endure, builds character and tells God that we trust Him.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28: 18-20