separated for sanctification

I just began Beth Moore's study on the Patriarchs. In the first 4 days of the study, I am learning so very much. A theme has been the concept of separtation for sanctification. Abram, when asked to separate himself from his family and go to an unknown land, began a process of sanctification, for God had promised him that he would be the father of many nations and that all nations, thru him would be blessed. Does God use one who has not been sanctified to bless all nations of the world? I doubt it!

This concept along with some thoughts from the well-known passage of Isaiah 6, a look at the life of Christ, and some words of wisdom from a good friend of mine have led me to this search for separation and sanctification in my own life. After all, before Isaiah cried out, "Here am I Lord, send me," his lips were burned with coal so that he would be purified. He was separated from his sin by the tongs of fire which purified his lips. Before Jesus began His ministry He was separated from all of those around Him as He spent time in the desert. (I'm not suggesting that Christ needed to be sanctified...He is God Almighty...but He too spent time in separation before He began His ministry.

Just a little something He is teaching me...before I can be most effective in ministry to those around me, He wants to separate me, to purify me, to sanctify me that my life would be different. From that difference, others would be drawn to Christ.

This is what He's been teaching me and the areas in which I'm praying right now. May He gorw you and change you to better reflect His glory in your daily lives. Though we are often times a bad representation of Him, I thank Him so much that He desires to refine us - it may hurt, it may burn like the tongs of fire, but He is our Potter, we are the clay. May we be moldable...may we be separated for His Glory!