Abraham was made an unbelievable promise, that his name would be carried on, that his descendants would out number the stars of the sky. He was given a son. Then one day, the Lord asked for him back, he didn't reach in and snatched him, he required Abraham to offer up what was most precious to him.
There are times when the Lord asks this of us too, to carry what we've been holding close and take it to the fire to be sacrificed, a love offering to a jealous God. Abraham didn't know that the Lord would intervene and neither can we; there is a chance that the fire will refine, and there is a chance that it will burn to cinders.
Better to let the Lord return your heart as cinders than to boast the silver of the world. Better but painful.
Oh sweet sister. Whether refiners fire or fire of sacrifice, fire burns. May you emerge shining like the purest gold or rise like the sweet scent of sacrifice. You are precious. I love you and your heart.
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