Swordmaking sounds so badass. Just a blacksmith going HAM with his trusty hammer on top of an anvil, molding, shaping, tempering, and absolutely WORKING a piece of molten hot metal. Crafting a weapon of beauty and precision, to be wielded by a loyal warrior in a battle for all that is good against all that is evil. Done well, a masterpiece can live on forever in legend and lore, like Excalibur, the blade of King Arthur.
Incredible, yes?
Now imagine you are the piece of metal being shaped, hammered, folded over, and superheated.
………..
Yeah no thanks. Sounds like an extremely painful process. And that’s without going into excruciating detail. And yet that is reality for each one of us, with tough circumstances and trials affecting us every day.
Depending on how you apply this, we can either bring our whole selves to the forge, or just the parts that we think need to be worked on.
I can say it currently feels like I am simultaneously being shaped and hammered while also being wielded for the kingdom of God. Which makes this a difficult, but very worthwhile season, as I seek to bring every part of me before Jesus, and leave behind the parts of me that will not allow me to be whole in Christ.
The question is, is it worth it if you only have an average blacksmith?
I would say no.
However, we have a master craftsmen, who only produces works that are worthy to be displayed in heaven. This makes the whole process worth it.
God has been moving in INCREDIBLE ways out here, bringing people into direct relationship with Him, healing His children, and sharing His love through His chosen instruments.
Thank you for reading! Very grateful for the care you’ve shown for me just by reading this, please share!
* I realize this analogy is not perfect/ can go in a few different directions, and would be happy to use a different medium to discuss a more complete version that is too complex to type here 😉
** The metal does not know what it is being shaped into, just that it will have a higher purpose than when it started. Food for thought (or another blog post lol).
*** this post has been inspired by Adam, Austin, Bowen, and the TV show “Forged in Fire”
**** I am still raising support to stay on the field, help a brother out or pass it on to someone who can 🙂
