Before he would become king, young Arthur stood confronted by a stone; one which was pierced by a sword.

The conditions were made clear for all men in the region… He who lifted the sword from the stone would be king. But until that day came, the land would remain unruled in darkness.

Many came and left; humiliated as they were not strong enough to pull the sword from the stone. But the odds were not in their favour… For this was Arthur’s story to tell, his stone to conquer; and conquer it he did. Holding the sword high for all to see; a king born, dark ages no more.

While we have likely heard this transformative tale before, how many know the origin story behind the blade that offered Arthur his kingship? 

The holy sword, Excalibur, symbolized by sovereignty, immense power and victory was destined for greatness. But first, it would need to be founded and forged from the very stone that held it.

From mire to magnificence, a significant transformation was necessary before King Arthur would claim it.

Much like Excalibur, we too must go through great transformation before we are ever to take part in ruling the land and expelling darkness.

To be held high in the name of our King, demands our absolute best; which will be achieved through arduous labour and endurance.

We are a piece of iron; day after day, placed into the forge

This various stages of this process endlessly committed to our upmost for His highest.

We begin by being placed into the fiery furnace; the trials we face, like flames, burning away the sinful, self-seeking sediment found in us. In the crucible, we are purified.

We are then removed from the fire and placed onto the anvil; a stable foundation of truth which acts as the workbench for the Maker to shape, bend, and guide us. On the anvil, we are formed.

Finally, when we are near our end, the Ironsmith quenches us; the final stage of being placed directly into liquid from a hot state, rapidly relieving the stress and setting us. Under the water, we are fulfilled.

Between and throughout every stage, the Maker holds us and allows for moments of rest because He knows our limits. In His hands, we are valued.

It’s interesting how some of our hardest and longest forges will form the strongest parts of us, so long as we allow for the ‘metalwork’ to take place within.

His reassuring words to us found in Isaiah 43:1-2

‘Fear not… You are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you… When you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.’

Maybe even now, you can feel yourself in one of the stages described above; If so, be encouraged for your life is intently being focused on.

We can trust His craftsmanship in our lives because we are His.

He has a vision and plan for us; Our destiny awaits

All beginning inside the walls of…

The Forge