Christians are Christ’s jewels, bought with an infinite price. The luster of Christ’s jewels depends on the polishing that they receive. God does not compel us to be polished. We are left free to choose to be polished or to remain unpolished. But everyone who is pronounced worthy of a place in the Lord’s temple must submit to the polishing process. He must consent to have the sharp edges cut away from his character, that it may be shapely and beautiful, fitted to represent the perfection of Christ’s character…. – {OFC 282.3}

Malachi 3:17 – “They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.”

I’ve been in some polishing times recently. They’re not pleasant to go through, but growing pains aren’t, sometimes. I have to learn to think less of myself, and to work more on building relationships. Also, it pays to remember that God doesn’t spend time on worthless material. I just hope I learn the lessons on the first go-round, don’t have to go through more learning processes than I need to, and always submit to the polishing.