I once heard the explanation of refining precious metal such as silver and gold. The refiner places the metal in the fire and watches it until he can see his own image in it, at this point the precious metal is purified.
GOD himself seeks to purify us so that HE can be seen in us. That purification takes place when we seek to follow GOD’s path through our prayer, study, and daily living of what we have learned. Sometimes that purification takes place through various challenges we face in our lives; if we focus on HIM and let HIM lead us, HE will shine through us for all to see and then what shall we be?