Walking around Silver Dollar City again, I stole away to observe the glass blowing exhibit. Every time I’m amazed, but today, I was mesmerized! It was like I was watching a visible parable of mankind in the creative hand of the Master Artisan. It reminded me of a verse that most people quote in a negative, ominous tone.
I guess I look at it differently- a positive, encouraging word.
Fire causes a chemical reaction and changes the substance being
burned to something completely new!
Fire refines!
Fire burns out impurities!
Don’t we all want Him to consume every last bit of “ickiness” and “impurities” in us? I know I do! 🙂
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First, the “Master Artisan” took sand/silicone and heated it until was a molten fluid glass.
I mean we’re talking a really HOT furnace! (Life can get really “hot” sometimes, can’t it?!)
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This was 2400 degrees Fahrenheit!! That is where the change began- silicone “passed away” and a brand new substance emerged “molten glass”- now ready to begin the transformation process! (doesn’t that parallel sound familiar?)
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The process begins with extreme heat and a puff of “breath” from the Master Artisan. The temperature, length, and duration are controlled carefully to bring about the perfect result. Think about this!!!
Next, I was captivated by the names of the three furnaces they used!
The first, which contains a “crucible” of molten glass, is simply referred to as “the furnace.”
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The second is called the “glory”, and is used to reheat a piece in between steps of working with it.
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The final furnace is called the “lehr” or “annealer”,(German word meaning to pattern). This is used to slowly cool the glass, over a period of a few hours to a few days, depending on the size of the pieces. This keeps the glass from cracking due to thermal stress!
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So perfect are His ways- only He can purify us without annihilating us!
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My eyes kept going back to the “glory furnace”.
I thought of God’s glory- His shekinah-
how awesome and pure His glory is.
When we are in His glory-
His all consuming fire-
He purifies and brings forth from the fire something exquisite and pure!
No two pieces come out identical.
Just like us. 🙂
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What a beautiful picture and illustration I saw today, as I walked around the gift shop and admired the wide variety and beauty of a myriad of glass products- some useful, some just decorative- but all made by the “master artesian’s” hand.
Today reminded me that I need to see all people as God sees them.
We are all created in His image and have had His breath blown into us! (Acts 17:28)
He is constantly working on us, with fire, with skill, with purpose and productivity in mind.
And different is good- it’s beautiful because of the design and plans of the Master.
Surprising Treasure:
PURIFY MY HEART- LET ME BE LIKE GOLD AND PRECIOUS SILVER
PURIFY MY HEART- LET ME BE LIKE GOLD- PURE GOLD
REFINER’S FIRE- MY HEARTS ONE DESIRE
IS TO BE HOLY- SET APART TO YOU LORD
I CHOOSE TO BE HOLY – SET APART UNTO YOU MY MASTER
READY TO DO YOUR WILL- I’M READY TO DO YOUR WILL!
- What Would Your Spiritual Sonogram Reveal? - October 10, 2019
- God Thinks You’re Fantastic - September 11, 2019
- What’s On Your Mind? - August 22, 2019
I love watching glass blowers too–love the “every piece is different” part 🙂
Mary P.
I know- each piece so beautiful- some delicate and fragile- others sturdy and useful- the colors and designs- If we could all see the beauty in each person God created!
Such a wonderful lesson, parable, example of what we read in God’s Word. 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 comes to mind, “revealed by fire….” and Romans 8:18 “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” We are His workmanship – what a blessed thought. “And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6) Amen! Cindy, I relish reading your insights. Thank you muchly!
You’re welcome muchly!! It pleases me to no end that God is crafting me into something beautiful- with design, plan, and purpose. Hugs Edy
Cindy…Once again you taught a wonderful lesson and with your glass blowing analogies, you painted a picture of God’s love and caring for each one of us. I feel beautiful and amazingly put together. All I can ever say is …Amen and Amen
You are beautiful Charlene- unique and breathtaking 🙂
🙂 love that