God Leads His Dear Children Along: Embracing God in the Fire

The New Year is upon us, and as I grow nearer to sixty-six years of age, I find it funny some days I feel all those years, some days more, and some days not nearly that old at all. Whatever the day brings, I know God leads His dear daughter along. Still, I could not do any of this without Him.

Not long ago, I was reminded of how God leads us by a sweet friend I met while living as an expat in Muscat, Oman. Perhaps for her, the mention of the song, God Leads His Dear Children Along, brought back many precious memories of her daddy leading his congregation not only in song but also in the Word of God. I have no doubt God is leading that dear daughter and my friend through the pain and the sorrow of losing her father during this holiday season just as He leads all of us through whatever we may face.

This friend and I were connected by many things, but as time went on, what set her apart was the light of Jesus she bore so beautifully. Not long ago, I reunited with her at a celebration of life for a mutual friend. I was surprised to receive the news of our friend’s death. She was the robust, athletic type, strong and resilient with a high-spirited laugh and a lively personality. There was within her, too, a softness and a fragility that only those closest to her knew. Still, she was the last person I would have expected to be celebrating in this way—more birthdays perhaps—but not because of her death.

Still, God leads his dear children along throughout the entirety of our lives. He connects us to others in the most unlikely of circumstances. The memories of my life as an expat are many. I do miss many things about that experience. I am thankful for those whose lives touched mine and today, especially grateful, for these two women who God brought into my life. That we would have connected in Muscat is one of God’s little miracles, a story to be shared at another time, but my friend’s passing reminds me of how God brings people into and out of our lives and then back in.

My husband and I spent many years moving from place to place in the United States before he accepted an overseas transfer. While in the U.S., our sons moved with us, but looking back, I see how leaving them behind to move overseas just as they entered adulthood impacted our family dynamics and their lives too—all our lives, really. That part I would not recommend to others who are thinking of taking on an adventure as expats; however, God led all of us through it, and He continues to lead us.

As for each one of us, I see the truth of what happens when people choose to become stronger because of the difficulties they face; rather than, allowing those trials and tribulations to define them. I understand much better now than I once did that those things from our past we might believe define us God uses to refine us. From the Prophets, the Psalms, Proverbs and the New Testament, we hear of God’s refining fire. “And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, the Lord is my God” (Zechariah 13:9, ESV).

Biblical history not only tells the true story of God’s refining power but also of His great mercy for His children. “But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver” (Malachi 3:2-3). You and I were created in the image of God, for a specific purpose. God remains with us even as we are tested in the “furnace of affliction.” (Isaiah 48:10). Like fine silver, the Lord refines us that we will seek righteousness. He “tests [our] hearts” (See Proverbs 17:3; Psalms 66:10), but all the while, He is with us. God leads his dear children along.

There are times in our lives when we might be led to believe God is gone, that He has left us alone to save ourselves. Salvation, however, does not exist outside of Him and His Son and our Savior Jesus, and though refining is certainly painful, when we turn our hearts to God, we learn of His unending mercy and the power of His redemptive work in us. When we place our confidence in Him, we soon understand that in every affliction, in every trial, in all of life’s circumstances, throughout our suffering God is our strength. He is our hope in times of trial. Calling out to God, He comes. God cares for His children. When we need to be set free from our sins, God’s refining fire, as difficult as it might be, is our assurance God does not let go. He is with us.

I have no idea what lies ahead for you or for me in 2025, but it is my prayer that each one of us walk mindfully into the New Year. I pray, too, the season of Advent remains in our hearts throughout the coming year, that we keep our eyes on Jesus. “Advent creates people, new people. We too are supposed to become new people in Advent. Look up, you whose gaze is fixed on this earth, who are spellbound by the little events and changes on the face of the earth. Look up to these words, you who have turned away from heaven disappointed. Look up, you whose eyes are heavy with tears and who are heavy and who are crying over the fact that the earth has gracelessly torn us away. Look up, you who, burdened with guilt, cannot lift your eyes. Look up, your redemption is drawing near. Something different from what you see daily will happen. Just be aware, be watchful, wait just another short moment. Wait and something quite new will break over you: God will come” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, God is in the Manger, p.40.) God—the God of all creation— holds us in His righteous right hand. Let us turn our eyes to Him and rest in the blessed assurance God always leads His dear children along.