I Never Saw a Purple Cowry...

We were at the beach on Padre Island (Texas) and went into a gift shop.  I have always loved cowry shells, and was surprised to see some that were purple.  I've never seen a purple cowry before.  They fascinated me, so I bought a couple.

What I found out about them was most interesting.  I don't know if it is so in every species, but in the "tiger cowry", the outer shell has the typical pattern of brown and black spots. The purple layer is underneath, and in order to bring out the beautiful color of the lower layer, the shells are dipped in acid, stripping away part of the outer layer and reaching the purple.  The purple is there, and part of the shell, but it isn't visible on the surface.  An effort must be made so that the purple will show...where it can be seen and appreciated.
                       **********************************************

Something like that happens when God wants to refine us and bring out the beauty that He is creating in each one of us. It can't always be seen on our imperfect surface - our imperfect "top layer" - so He uses testing and trials to strip away some of the top layer so that He can work on the inner layer, step-by-step revealing our "purple".

Here's another analogy to make the same point: "For You, God, tested us; You refined us like silver."  (Psalm 66:10)

I recently read of a woman who decided to talk to a silversmith and ask him about this process.  He told her he couldn't just leave the silver boiling, checking it every-once-in-a-while.  He had to keep a constant eye on the crucible, as too much heat could ruin the silver. When she asked him how he could tell that the purifying process was complete, he replied that he knew it was ready when he could see his image reflected in the silver.

We may dislike going through acid baths, so-to-speak, (or being melted in crucibles), but we must remember that when God's purifying process in us is complete, His image will be seen reflected in us. Here in this life, no one reflects His image perfectly - though some reflect more of it than others.  But that is the goal towards which God works, the goal we should all yearn for.

"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."  (I Peter 5:10)

And then...your "purple" will show!