Rust & Glory: Spiritual Refinement Process

"I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure." ~Zechariah 13:9

Have you ever watched a blacksmith at work? Me neither! But that's what movies are for! Those mesmerizing videos show how they take a dull, rusty piece of iron and transform it

into something beautiful and useful. First into the fire it goes, where intense heat burns away impurities. Then onto the anvil for shaping. Next comes that satisfying sizzle as the glowing metal is plunged into water, steam rising as the transformation is sealed. What emerges is something completely different from what went in.

The Spiritual Refinement Process

This process mirrors our spiritual journey, especially as we approach Holy Week. Thomas à Kempis wrote in "The Imitation of Christ": "As iron cast into fire loses its rust and becomes glowing white, so he who turned completely to God is stripped of his sluggishness and changed into a new man."

This simple but profound image shows us what genuine transformation looks like. It's not about minor improvements or small adjustments. It's about fundamental change that happens when we surrender completely to God.

The Bible repeatedly uses imagery of fire to describe God's refining work in our lives. Malachi 3:3 tells us, "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." In Zechariah 13:9, God says, "I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure." These passages remind us that our spiritual refinement process, like metalwork, involves heat and pressure.

What happens when iron enters fire? First, the rust falls away. Similarly, when we turn to God completely, our sinful habits, harmful attitudes, and spiritual laziness begin to fall away. The things that corroded our relationship with God and others are burned off.

But removal of rust is just the beginning. The iron also takes on new properties - it glows white-hot and becomes malleable. So too, when we surrender to God, we don't just lose our negative qualities; we gain positive ones. We become more loving, more patient, more aligned with God's purposes. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 promises, "Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"

Fire and Water in God's Refinement

This blacksmith's process — the fire, the shaping, and the water — beautifully mirrors our Christian journey of transformation. The fire and water especially remind us of baptism, where we die to our old selves and rise to new life. As John the Baptist said, "I baptize you with water... but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire" (Matthew 3:11). In baptism, we experience both the cleansing waters and the refining fire of the Holy Spirit. Just as metal needs both elements to be properly transformed, we too need both the washing of rebirth and the refining fire of the Spirit to become who God created us to be.

Notice that à Kempis emphasizes complete turning to God. Half-measures won't produce transformation. A piece of iron partly in the fire and partly out will never be fully transformed. Romans 12:1-2 urges us to "offer your bodies as a living sacrifice" and "be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Total surrender leads to total transformation.

As we enter this final week of Lent before Holy Week begins, here's your goal: Identify one area of "rust" in your life that you've been reluctant to surrender to God's transforming fire. Perhaps it's an attitude, a habit, or a relationship. Write it down, pray specifically about it, and make a concrete plan to place it fully in God's hands.

Remember, the fire might feel uncomfortable, but the transformation is worth it. What emerges will be stronger, purer, and more beautiful than what went in.

Always improve the present moment.