Purifying Hope

the Hope Diamond 

I love Oswald Chambers.  He never fails to supply a swift kick in the rear when I need it (and oftentimes, when I don't need it).  I read this just today:

"If our hopes are being disappointed just now, it means that they are being purified.  There is nothing noble the human mind has ever hoped for or dreamed of that will not be fulfilled.  One of the greatest strains in life is the strain of waiting for God.  "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience." Remain spiritually tenacious." Oswald Chambers

I love that first line, and its what caught my attention as I was merely browsing a book... "If our hopes are being disappointed just now, it means that they are being purified."  That's an interesting concept, purifying hopes.  I've read and pondered a lot about purifying the heart, the mind, the soul, etc... but hopes?  That's one I've never given much thought or prayer to.  I've simply thought that our hopes are placed there by God for a reason.  I still think that God places desires in our hearts for a reason. However, I'm beginning to realize that when those desires don't materialize in the manner or timeframe that I would like them to, it's nothing to get frustrated about... I need to lean even more on the understanding that God's timing is perfect and pray for the refining of that hope. 

"14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
Ephesians 3:14-21

And now paraphrased:

God laughs at odds.  No matter how big the dream, how huge the request, how lofty the hope or even  how statisticaly impossible the task, He can do it-- and infinitely immeasurably more.  May God ne seen for how great He really is!

 
Ephesians 3:20 (paraphrase)

Diamonds are formed very deep within the earth in high pressure, high temperature conditions... much like gold and silver are refined by the 'refiner's fire' that even refernced in Scripture.  Furthermore, diamonds are brought closer to Earth's surface through deep volcanic eruptions (more heat and refining) by magma.  Through all that heat and pressure, they are refined and realized (brought to the surface), much like God promises to do with our hopes.