Press the arrow to learn how gold is refined by dissolving, even from the junk of obsolenence. This little video will make the purposes of God in our lives that much clearer.

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Scripture
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.” Matthew 16:24-25

Observation
There is a reluctance to dissolve our plans into God’s purposes. We value independence and individualism. We want to define ourselves by standing separate from that which surrounds us. But Christ calls us to dissolve ourselves into his church and his call on our lives. Immersed in human need, our importance in suspended solution, we are useful to the Lord.

Gold is refined by dissolving. The shiny golden metal disappears into the chemical solvent. It seems at first that the value of the gold is lost. But nothing can be further from the truth. The dissolved gold is on its way to become pure gold. There is another stage ahead for gold that has allowed itself to be dissolved. That is a place of purity and usefulness that would be inaccessible without  the purification that comes from dissolving.

Application
There are many times that I resist being dissolved into God’s purposes. I enjoy individuality and independence. But just as gold fears no fire, so too it does not fear being dissolved into the solvent of relationships in the local church. It is only as I lose my life that I find it. I must let myself drop into God’s greater purposes even if I disappear without a trace. The true value in me will never be lost. There is a purer stage ahead if I will submit to the process of dissolving.

Prayer
Father, I show my trust in you by entrusting myself to the solvent of your purposes. Dissolve me so you can find me useful to you. Amen.