Refined by Love: Preparing Our Hearts in Advent

by TJ Conway

Malachi 3:1-4, New Revised Standard Version

1 See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; 3 he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

I was always taught that Advent is a season of preparation, and to me Malachi’s words remind us that this preparation isn’t always easy. Like a metalsmith refining ores with fire to make beautiful jewelry, God’s work in us can be uncomfortable, stripping away what doesn’t belong to reveal who we are meant to be. But this refining is an act of love, not judgment.

As we move through this season, may we open ourselves to this transformation, trusting that God’s hands are shaping us, making us ready to bring light and hope to the world, and into the lives of those around us.