Nature shows us God's plan and will for our lives.

In nature- fire and water change the shape and energy of the earth. Water flowing over rock will wear it down...water is powerful.

Fire takes apart the structure of something from within and releases it's energy, fire is very powerful! Water works from without...on the outside of the thing that is changed, fire works from within and changes the very structure of the thing worked on.

The book of Romans tells me: O man, who art thou that replies against God? Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it, Why have you made me this way? Has not the potter power over the clay....

The beauty and usefulness of the vessel formed cannot show forth without first passing through the fire. It is the same with metal...ores found in the earth in their natural state are not beautiful or useful until they pass through the refining fire. Fire changes them from the inside out...making them entirely new things...with clay as with ores...to be beautiful and useful...they must pass through the fire...and if they could resist or speak...I'm sure they would say..."why is this happening?" Just as we do when we must "pass through the fire". It is within our power as free will agents to refuse to pass through the fire...we can run, we can deny, we can rebel.

But it is better to go through the fire, allow it to purify us, and come out stronger, more useful and more beautiful.

Fire is used in the scr i ptures as symbols for the purifying forces. The impurities are "burnt" away and what is left, if we go through the fire willingly, is a vessel of beauty and usefulness.