When Dr. Baran refers to the many crucibles of life in his writing, I find myself thinking back to my five years of chemistry education. The crucibles that we used in laboratory experiments was usually very small porcelain containers that can withstand an extreme application of heat - even to the point where the crucible glows red hot. The chemicals contained within the vessel are then purified by removal of any heat sensitive contaminants rendering a purified compound in the crucible. Without the applied heat, purification will not occur. So it is with life. Our character, faith and resilience become a purer product brought about by trauma and the time it takes to allow the trauma to make the transformation manifest itself. There are no shortcuts in the process, just the guarantee of a purer human being. Thank you Dr. Baran for insightful analysis.
Beautiful piece, Ben. Cheers, Cadence
Thank you very much, Cadence.
When Dr. Baran refers to the many crucibles of life in his writing, I find myself thinking back to my five years of chemistry education. The crucibles that we used in laboratory experiments was usually very small porcelain containers that can withstand an extreme application of heat - even to the point where the crucible glows red hot. The chemicals contained within the vessel are then purified by removal of any heat sensitive contaminants rendering a purified compound in the crucible. Without the applied heat, purification will not occur. So it is with life. Our character, faith and resilience become a purer product brought about by trauma and the time it takes to allow the trauma to make the transformation manifest itself. There are no shortcuts in the process, just the guarantee of a purer human being. Thank you Dr. Baran for insightful analysis.
That is indeed the metaphor. You're exactly right--so well said. Thanks, Dad. Love you!
Certainly related is Sirach 2:1-6.