“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 1:6-7 (NASB)
Everyone can relate to fiery trials at some time in our lives, since we were never promised an easy road to heaven. Instead, Peter tells us that faith is tested as gold is, which is purified through the fire of trials and tribulations.
Faith that is totally reliant on Jesus, can withstand the intensity of the fire. I can think of several people and friends of faith, who have developed this resilient quality of “golden faith”, through the purifying fire that scripture speaks of. Many are the friends receiving this meditation today.
I also recall a lady who lived for a few years in the Nursing facility, named Tawana. We used to talk and I remember her interesting life story. Her faith began with a close relationship with her grandmother. Her grandfather was Bob Jeter, a professional athlete, who played football for both the Chicago Bears and Green Bay packers in the 60’s and 70’s. The foundation of Tawana’s faith was impacted most by her grandmother, Bob Jeter’s wife, who was still living at the age of 100.
Tawana needed that foundation of faith since she encountered many fiery trials in her lifetime.
When she was a young wife and mother, her husband stopped after work to have a drink with some friends at a local bar. A stranger walked into the bar that day, pulled out a gun and killed every single person in there.
That event changed Tawana’s life in one day, as she became a widow, with a three year old boy, while pregnant with twins, who were due any day. The day after her husband’s funeral, Tawana gave birth to boy and a girl twins. The boy twin had a slight heart defect and spent a longer stay in the hospital, but eventually he came home healthy, thanks to many prayers.
Tawana raised her three children as a single parent, with the help of God and her church family. She told me she could never have made it through those difficult years without her church who kept her lifted up in prayer. Her children never knew their earthly father, but Tawana made sure that they knew their heavenly one.
Decades later, when her children were adults and caring for their own children, Tawana had a stroke. With physical therapy and the prayers of her friends and family, she recovered without major deficits, and gives God all the praise for her recovery.
Some years after that, she began to have frequent headaches and was diagnosed with a brain tumor, which was found to be cancerous.
After undergoing brain surgery and chemotherapy treatment, Tawana was sent to the Nursing Facility for rehabilitation, which is how I met her.
She is the most upbeat, cheerful person who knew everyone in that facility and everyone knew her. No one could imagine all the trials that such a pleasant lady had been through. Though she walks with short shuffling steps, her mind is sharp and her overall health is good.
On Karaoke day at the Nursing home, she selected the song,
“Oh Happy Day,” and sang it like she was telling her own story of trust in God, who brought her through many fires, believing He will continue to do so.
Tawana’s prayers were answered, and her last check up found her to be cancer free. She was blessed to be discharged from the Nursing home, and go to an assisted living facility on the south side of Chicago, close to her children, her grandmother and grandchildren.
I learned from Tawana, that total reliance on God, means He will carry us through even the most catastrophic events. When faith is purified, it shines through like polished gold, finding the hope to look for better days to come. The Lord helped Tawana find her better days, and He will do it for us as well.
Lord, purify our faith to be like gold, making us resilient through all the fiery trials, and restore to us the joy of our salvation. Amen
