Refining Fire

Briers and thorns bar the narrow pathway.

Weedy vines entangle and wrap around my feet, making it impossible to move forward.

Bitter roots seek to choke and defile.

You come in with Your refining fire.

The blazing flames destroy everything that hinders.

The embers crack and pop as ashes float away in the wind.

The fire is painful but necessary.

The scorched soil is left looking black and marred.

All appears to be ruin and despair. A dark cloud hovers overhead, but a refreshing rain begins to fall.

Signs of new life start to spring up.

Your refining fire has burned away all the dross and made way for a fruitful garden.