I’d like to list it as a hobby:
Just writing.
Without worrying if it’s right or not.
And then linking arms with others who feel the same.
Over at Lisa-Jo’s.
Art for Holey, Wholly, Holy
Click for details
Today, I’m joining others
As we write unabashedly
For five minutes time.
Without editing or backtracking
On one word alone:
AFRAID
He beckons me to come and I am unable to move…frozen in fear. I feel the heat upon my face and every human instinct within tells me to run away from the fire ahead. Or is something else yelling in my ear…
It’s the whisper I’m straining to hear. The One assuring me He’s with me and sees beyond the flames. Encouraging me it will be worth it…Holiness awaits.
I catch my reflection along the way and wrench in pain at the sight of my unworthiness. It’s all too surreal that grace can make something out of…me.
Kris Camealy says — though He accepts us as we are, He has even better for us. He loves us too much to leave us in our mess (taken from Holey, Wholly, Holy).
She also says once you acquire the truth, you are responsible for the action.
So now I’m walking into the refiner’s fire. I won’t look back; I’ll keep my head held high so I catch a glimpse of Him on the other side: My Prize.
It seems the higher we look, the less fear can grab hold. For fear looms low, in the darken corners of the unknown.
But friends, He’s told us what’s on the other side of this journey. And it seems the only thing I need to fear is missing out.
If refinement is the cost, I’m certain it’s worth the price.
Resurrection awaits.
STOP.
NOTE: The above post was inspired by the book my friend Kris has written.
And it is being released today!
She has poured her heart out for His glory and is offering it to you HERE. Please, take a look and see if it could impact you as much as it has me.
You may read the foreword I was blessed to write for the book by clicking “To look inside” (and no, I’m not an affiliate).
Would you like to see what others thought of the prompt?
Would you like to play along?
Join in on the Five Minute Friday Flash Mob!
Simply click on the button below!
How about you? Have you felt the refiner’s fire? How do you tackle the fear of refinement? I’d love to hear.
Thanks for sharing your time with me.
Simply striving,
Nikki
simplystriving 
I was so happy to see your smiling avatar, Nikki…Your faith is inspiring, and yes, so grateful resurrection is on the other side …so so grateful…Hugs to you 🙂 I’ve been wanting to call you but with our time difference, I was thinking I would be interrupting you in the middle of something 🙂
Yay! we’re neighbors today, Dolly! Love when that happens 🙂 It seems resurrection is worth the cost, don’t you think? It’s helping me, at least, as I go through refinement… That time difference doesn’t help us, does it! If email works better, that’s fine. Otherwise, I will try to answer regardless how long I can talk! {HUGS}
Sorry, I forgot to answer your question…to tackle the fear, I keep looking at Jesus and talking to Him…asking for grace to follow Him…remembering His love and the final hope of resurrection.
Oh, I love your thought here, Dolly…asking for grace to follow…yes! ah the hope of resurrection. ❤ thank you for sharing!
I have felt the refiner’s fire so many times. When I am in a good, bold, close to Jesus place, I am grateful for the scorch marks. When I am in a down place, I wonder why God has felt the need for me to have those scorch marks, “What have I done to be punished like this?” and then I remember, the scorch marks are not a sign of punishment, they are a sign of grace – and a sign to be who I am for others… if that makes any sense.
Usually these days I write into it, pray into it, ask for help from others who love God right alongside me… those I think God sends me to have skin so I can tangeably feel His love. (I spelled that T word wrong but I think you know what I mean…)
Happy Five Minute Friday & many blessings, dear friend!
I DO know what you mean, Julie (and wouldn’t know how to spell that word, either);)
Thank you for sharing with me. Yes–God made us relational people. what a gift it is that He brings along people in the flesh or even online to help us in whatever season we’re in. Especially refinement…
Happy Friday, friend! Thanks for chatting with me last night, despite how late I was!!
It’s so wonderful to see Kris’s book all over. I love how you wrote it into your post with such grace and truth. You are a beautiful, gifted writer. Love you ❤
I loved seeing her book at your place, too, Michele! I don’t deserve you, but am so grateful for you! {HUGS}
Beautiful, friend. I see you, marching onward, confident in the whisper that speaks true. Your words here woo me to look up. Thank you.
“woo me to look up” I love that, Jennifer. Thank you for blessing me today!
“I catch my reflection along the way and wrench in pain at the sight of my unworthiness. It’s all too surreal that grace can make something out of…me.”
We share a soul, you and I….
All I can do, sister, is sigh. And hold your hand. And nod my head. And sit side by side. Bowing in prayer and thankfulness that we are art-in-process. And that He never tires of us.
we do share a soul, friend. art-in-process…never growing tired of us. it’s what I needed to hear. Thank you, sweet Leigh Kay! Enjoyed chatting some with you last night! I’ve missed you! {HUGS}
What a sweet, beautiful thing to see Leigh say you “share a soul,” and for you, Nikki, to respond with an emphatic “we do share a soul, friend.” I understand this feeling of sharing a soul; I feel it with specific others as well. One day we will all be together in the magnificent place of heaven and be forever bonded. Blessings to both of you ladies.
Some day soon, Amy, I’m going to give you a good and proper hug 😉
Ah, the healthy fear of the Holiness that blazes out to transform us…it definitely takes its toll. In great ways. Requires humility…drives us to our knees…..but always finds us rising with Christ….:) Good reminder.
drives us to our knees and we rise with Christ. yes! you get it… Thanks for sharing with me, Wick!
Oh I am so excited to read Kris’s book. “If refinement is the cost, I’m certain it’s worth the price.” So good, friend and such a wise thought to hang onto when the cost seems high. Fixing my eyes high. Love you, friend.
Let me know when you read it, friend, we can talk about it together! I’ve read it three times now and have gleamed something new every time…you’ll love it! Love and hugs to you — thanks for stopping by here and for sharing a love letter to me at your place ❤
I just downloaded Kris’s book too! I am looking forward to reading it! Thank you for sharing! I am thankful He thinks we are worth the cost! 🙂
I’m so glad you downloaded it, too, Loni! It’s a quick read, but one you’ll want to read again I’m certain. I’ve already read it three times 🙂
Yes! I read this and wanted to stand and have a little poetry jam read aloud. Absolutely gorgeous – you have a stunningly lyrical way with words.
I felt the same way at your place, Crystal! and you topped it off with cookies!:)
Love how God is working through others via Kris. He’s so good. all the time…
I don’t know Chris well but you’ve convinced to read her book. I want to pay the cost of refinement. And Nikki, you are such a solider with a gift of encouragement and a way with words.
Oh Laura, I feel like I know you well enough to say you’ll love it! It’s methodical. Sound. Open to our own convictions. I plan on blogging some about it over Lent. I hope you’ll join me — even if it’s just reading it and us sharing later about it!
“It’s the whisper I’m straining to hear…” Yes fear has a way doesn’t it of clanging so loudly… Leaning in and listening with you friend.
It does require us to bend, doesn’t it. To lean in…the first step of submission.
whatever it takes, I’m all in and am honored to have you join me, Tonya! {HUGS}
Hi dear Nikki
As I was reading, I suddenly was so proud of you! Your love for Him and your courage to go where He leads have blessed my heart so many times. You know, dear one, there in the refiners fire where it is the hottest, He is always there ready to be the coolest, freshest Foutain of Spring you can think off. Just keep looking up!
Much love to you and thank you for just being you
Mia
You are such an encouragement to me, Mia! thank you for reading my heart so well… {HUGS}
As I read your closing words, “resurrection awaits”, I felt like leaping our of my seat while fist pumping! He’s always ready to resurrect and refine.
What a wonderful Father!
I’m so not worthy and yet that has NEVER EVER stopped Him from saving me time and time again! What an awesome God we serve, Stefanie! Celebrating His glory with you today! {HUGS}
I just downloaded the book too. And I am dealing with the fear of refinement by putting it off. I am going to start the book on Ash Wednesday. I loved the challenge of your words today.
I’m so thrilled you’ll be reading this with me! missed chatting with you thursday night. I was sooo late to the #FMFParty! praying for you and all that’s in front of you right now {HUGS}
Love !!!! The only thing I need to fear is missing out!!! You rock! Love you
oh girl, let’s not miss out on glory! it’s all that matters 🙂 {HUGS}
My favorite part of this post is this- It seems the higher we look, the less fear can grab hold. For fear looms low, in the darken corners of the unknown.- as always, you have left me with MUCH to ponder. So thankful for your words, Nikki!
And I am really looking forward to reading Kris’ book!!
Your post left tugs on my heartstrings, too, Becky! Giving me much to ponder…thank you, friend!
“It seems the higher we look, the less fear can grab hold. For fear looms low, in the darken corners of the unknown.” This! Beautiful Nikki, your words give me strength to step forward. Bless you bunches, girlfriend!
So thrilled to see you, Amy! {HUGS} thank you, friend.
I missed you last night my friend! My meeting ran late and while it was great… part of my heart and focus was with you and the ‘gang’ at #FMFParty! LOVE this… no surprise really! and this: “It seems the higher we look, the less fear can grab hold.” YES! Such a powerful reminder to look UP! Love you!
I missed you, too! I was incredibly late, so wasn’t sure if I missed you because of me or what…so no worries! Love and hugs to you!
i haven’t been around in a long time, but now that I’m back online, I wanted to stop by and say hello. I love your honesty in words and again, I’m blessed by them
thrilled to see you here, Alyssa! Glad you’re back online. Love and hugs to you!
If there were a love button, I’d click that. “It seems the higher we look, the less fear can grab hold.” YES! Lord, can you redirect our gaze anytime it strays so that we can charge toward you on the other side of this refining fire. My friend, the beauty of these words you have written…
You read my heart so well, Missy. Thank you, friend. For walking this road with me {HUGS}
Nikki, your words are sweet refreshment to me, every. single. time. I read you. I am just amazed at how God works, at how even when the temperature threatens to overtake us, He brings friends, encouragers, fellow gypsies, who bring the Living water to our cupped hands, ladling it in, encouraging us to stay the course, to let Him work–to drink without hesitation. I love you. I love this post. I adore your heart for Jesus.
God is so good, isn’t He friend. Thank you for helping me see how His body could function more wholly. I’m honored to watch how God works through you, my sweet soul sister. (HUGS) love you!
I worry sometimes about others getting burned by my fire. And then I remember He’s in charge, and He won’t let anyone near that doesn’t need to feel the heat as well. Beautiful FMF.
Yes and amen. A part of me prays I’m hot enough to burn someone while the other part prays I don’t…such truth–He lays in our path what we all need. and what we don’t realize is, although narrow, it’s a two way street. Thrilled you stopped by, Sandra! Thank you!
“It seems the higher we look, the less fear can grab hold. For fear looms low, in the darken corners of the unknown.”
This brought tears today. Thanks for your words.
Sarah–you bless me so. thank you for sharing with me today…for holding my heart so tender. thank you.
Love this! It reminds me of how God has pulled fear out of my own life… Blessings on your weekend lovely Nikki. ~ Love, Amy
love how you say that, Amy…He’s pulled fear out of your life. What a blessing! Hugs to you! Praying for you this week!
I love imagery like this… I get this. Keeping your eyes up as you walk through that fire is huge.
Beautiful! Great post. Visiting from FMF. 🙂
Thrilled you stopped by, AJ! Thank you! I’m honored to meet you and enjoyed my visit at your place 😉
Nikki, I love the way you ended this…”If refinement is the cost, I’m certain it’s worth the price.
Resurrection awaits.” God’s refining fire is always worth the cost when we come through as gold. Beautiful write!
Thank you, Jacqui! Loved seeing your smile here, encouraging me. What a blessing you are!
(and friend, for the record: Your URL is welcome here anytime. I’d be honored if someone met you through me!) 🙂 [HUGS]
Beautiful, friend. The Lord tells us so many times to “Be Not Afraid” and to “Fear Not,” but it is truly the light at the end of the tunnel, the resurrecting with Him that we need to keep our eyes on always. 🙂
Your words always touch my heart and soul. I have chosen your blog to receive a blog award. Stop by to this post and see the details. Congratulations! You truly deserve it.
http://our4kiddos.blogspot.com/2013/02/blog-of-year-2012-award.html
You just keep blessing and blessing me, friend. I’m running out of words to express how much I appreciate you! Thank you, Lisa. thank you 🙂
Looking forward to reading Kris’s book. It sounds wonderful. Keeping me eyes fixed on Jesus, makes the fears go away. Love and hugs,
Joy
It takes practice to keep our eyes fixed, doesn’t it. Trusting it gets easier… thank you, Joy, for encouraging me to keep striving for Him! Love and hugs to you!
As one who has lived much of life in fear, this resonated with me. And this, “It seems the higher we look, the less fear can grab hold.” May I look higher each day and see only Him. Thanks for this encouragement, Nikki!
I think I’ve told you before, Christina, how my grandmother used to tell me that fear was a distraction. Well, I’m starting to wonder if this is what she meant. because fear easily takes me focus away from His face…yet when I keep my gaze fixed, I don’t remember fear crossing my path… Let’s keep striving and figure this out together! {HUGS}