Forged In Fire

A certain young man (RD) got me watching Forged in Fire. A tv show about blacksmiths who compete in making knives and swords. It is really fascinating. So much so, I decided to build my own forge. Plus Mark Newton has one and it inspired me as well. It’s not as much about making knives and swords, as much as it is about making the forge, heating it up, and  making something unique and creative. 

The forge heats metal to a point before it melts but is still malleable. Then you pound it into shape and keep heating it and beating it until your finished. At the same time you immerse it into water which somehow hardens it. There is a lot of science behind it. In the end, if done right, especially in the hands of a master, you get a strong weapon. The key is master craftsman. I am sure my first attempts will be interesting, but that is the challenge, not to have it perfect the first time, but to try and then try again, and be better next time.

Life is a lot like making a knife. You know the saying “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” The idea comes from the forge. The more you heat it and cool it the stronger the metal becomes. But not always. A lot depends on the metal, the heat, and the technique in shaping the metal. In the wrong hands what doesn’t kill you will maim you. Fortunately we are in the hands of THE Mastercraftsman. Our Heavenly Father allows trials in our lives because they produce something, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” James 1:1,2. 

As much as we would like to shortcut the process, the kind of character we desire doesn’t happen in a green house. I was watching a video where plants were grown in a green house. While the plants were young the gardener takes a broom and lightly sweeps over the young shoots, simulating wind. Wihout the constant resistance they wouldn’t grow strong and survive in the real world. To build character we need constant resistance. I personally don’t like the idea, but understand it’s necessity. Though it is hard, I would rather go through adversity and grow strong than to live in a greenhouse and live an anemic life.

“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ,” 1 Peter 1:6,7. I’m just saying.