"Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears we will be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this home in him purifies himself, just as he is pure."
1 John 3:2-3

Gold - the word recalls Job's affirmation: "But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold" (Job 23:10). And it recalls the ringing words of the Apostle Peter: "[All kinds of trials come] so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine" (1 Peter 1:7). And it brings the quiet words of Malachi: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver..." (Malachi 3:3)

The picture of the Refiner is straight from Eastern life. The Eastern goldsmith sits on the floor by his crucible. For me (Amy Carmichael), at least, it is not hard to know why the heavenly Refiner has to sit so long. The heart knows its own dross. 

"How do you know how long to sit and wait? How do you know when it is purified?" we asked our village goldsmith. 

"When I see my face in it," he replied.

Blessed be the love that never wearies, never gives up hope that, even in such poor metal (us), our Father may at last see the reflection of His face. 

My Father, work in the lives of our NEEMA girls, work into them Your traits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness..... and give them grace to carry them through. "Purify" us all of everything but perfect acceptance in you.... 

Devotion rewritten from Amy Carmichael's I Come Quietly To Meet You