God knew what he was doing from the very beginning.
He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those
who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son…
We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him.
Romans 8:29 (The Message)We look at his Son and see God’s original purpose
in everything created.
Colossians 1:15 (The Message)
Watching my kids grow up I’ve noticed the ways in which they’re continually revealing their capacity as mature human beings. A lot of what they reveal is linked to the DNA we share. They may become like me, but they won’t become me. That’s the first metaphor Rick Warren uses in Day 22 – Created to Become Like Christ. We’re created with the purpose of growing in the character of God – even though we won’t become God.
God’s ultimate goal for our life on earth is not comfort, but character development. God wants us grow up spiritually and become like Christ. Becoming like Christ does not mean losing our personalities or becoming mindless clones.
Rick points out that when Jesus promises us abundant life, he’s not talking about perfect health, comfortable lifestyle, constant happiness, full realization of our dreams, instant relief from problems through faith and prayer. Such expectations reduce God to a personal genie. To live with these expectations leads us either to severe disillusionment or denial of reality.
Helpful clarifications. I’m concerned when prayer becomes a form of magic. Or when parents are treated as the sources of unlimited happiness for their children.
Warren goes on to give us some pointers about the realities of character growth:
1. We must cooperate with the Holy Spirit’s work. This means the realities of hard work, changing our thinking patterns, and development of new habits.
2. God uses his Word, people, and circumstances to mold us. I like the reminder that we cannot grow like Christ in isolation. I believe that the fruit of the Holy Spirit is lived out in relationships rather than just in individual attitudes.
3. Becoming like Christ is a long, slow process of growth. When I was younger I was very concerned about the”perfect will” of God. What was the right career? Who was the right life partner? Even down to where I should spend the weekends and what subjects I should study. Over time I’ve discovered that trying to answer those questions flows out of the person God is liberating in me – over time. I’ve become less impatient with God’s process. I’m not so desperate to find an instant formula for making me a ‘man of God’. I appreciate Rick’s point that suffering and difficulty are associated with growth. That certainly applies to the development from baby to child to teenager to adult.
Rick finishes the chapter by expressing his concern that many popular Christian books focus on personal fulfilment and emotional stability rather than following the great purposes of God. Interesting dichotomy. I’ve worked with so many people who feel guilty about the unique passions and interests they have because they’ve bought the line that we should give up our own ‘selfish desires’ to follow God. The Uniting Church baptism service talks about ‘turning from self’ to follow God. I’d rather talk about centring our selves on Christ, aligning our aspirations with the influence and leading of Christ.