I wish there was an easier way. But in my life, I simply grow the most through adversity. It seems that the Lord has to get my undivided attention in order for me to lean in. There is a sweet spot with the Lord that is only found in the fiery furnace or the wind of the hurricane. I don’t understand it. I wish it wasn’t this way, but it is. I think we get better as we mature, but in the end, we still seek the Lord more when the heat goes up. Our Refiner’s Fire Series is modeled after the ancient Japanese technique of shou sugi ban. In this technique wood is burned in order to preserve and protect it. Many times in life, the adversities we face are very similar to this “refining fire”. Those adversities are difficult, dark and often leave us with scars, but in the end these scars simply become a part of our story, and with the help of the Lord, they can become a beautiful remnant of what were once darker days. On these boards, some of the scars from the milling process have been left as reminders that we can be scarred, and yet have a beautiful life. You will see the cracks and knot holes in one of the boards that would cause most woodworkers to toss it into the burn pile. We leave the cracks and use the board as a reminder that the Lord loves us regardless. The charred wood makes us think of Isaiah 43:1-3 and although it is talking about Israel, it can definitely be applied to our lives today.  It says,  “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.“