“And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.” (Zechariah 13:9).
One of the world’s finest piano is made by Steinway Pianos. It is known as the world’s best piano. Each piano is still made from scratch, and it takes over a year to make one Steinway. In the manufacturing plant, the most impressive scene is the place where the soundboard is stretched to its maximum tolerance and allowed to sit for an extended period until it would remain in the curved design. The very location where this is done in a small area off to the corner part of the plant where the wood was stretched to its maximum tolerance and allowed to sit quietly. If it were alive it would be crying out for mercy. After this extended time, the wood will never spring back to its original state. It is permanently changed. The piano is becoming a finely tuned instrument. After this process takes place, the next step requires another point of stress. It takes eleven tones of pressure on a piano to tune it. Each step in the process moves closer to a finished product that will ultimately be played by the world’s finest musicians. There is a particular sound that these musicians desire that only a piano like this can make.
God looks at each of us like a finely tuned instrument. However, we begin as rough wood that He desires to transform into gold. It requires certain experiences that will stretch our faith, our frame, and our very life. Sainthood springs out of suffering. If we can stand the strain of this intense process, we will come forth as gold — a sweet-smelling offering to its maker. When we are in the midst of these times, it feels like fire. It is painful to be stretched beyond our perceived limits, but the Lord knows this is necessary for us to become an instrument that can play a beautiful song that others will seek after.
God desires the very best out of us and He has a process that we have to undertake to become the best that is required. This is sometimes called grooming and character building. The training is very rigid and you have to be called and selected for this process. It takes time just like building a piano and like it took Moses forty years to mould him into the leader God wants to deliver Israel out of slavery in Egypt. I do not know your story and your calling but I am aware of the “shoes I have to wear” for this journey. I know that Saul was called and had to be blinded for the training God intended for his mission and finally had to change his name to Paul. Old things are passed away and with his new name, all things became new.
Brethren, we are living in these last times and God wants to do a special work in us for His honour and His glory. All it takes is complete surrender to His will and then see the manifestation of the work in your life. God wants the best for you and me. Therefore, when the change comes we can be of blessings to others and a lead example in our community.
Let the master craftsman have His way in your life today. You will be pleased with the instrument He fashions.
