The journey of becoming like Jesus

In a world obsessed with achievement and accolades, we often lose sight of what truly matters at the end of our lives. It's not the resume virtues - our accomplishments, job titles, or awards - that people remember. Instead, it's the eulogy virtues - the kind of person we became, the lives we touched, and the love we shared.

This profound truth echoes through the ages, from the wisdom of Solomon in Ecclesiastes to the monastic practices of St. Benedict, and even in modern reflections by writers like David Brooks. They all point to a singular, timeless message: life is fleeting, and we should live it with the end in mind.

Solomon, in his characteristically somber tone, advises us that it's "Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies—so the living should take this to heart" (Ecclesiastes 7:2). While it may seem morbid, this perspective urges us to contemplate our mortality and, consequently, the legacy we'll leave behind.

The ancient monastic tradition took this to heart quite literally. Monks would pray with three items before them: scripture, a candle, and a human skull. This stark reminder of mortality wasn't meant to instill fear, but to inspire purposeful living. It echoes the words of St. Benedict: "Day by day remind yourself that you are going to die."

But what does all this have to do with our spiritual journey? Everything.

As followers of Jesus, we're called not just to believe in Him, but to become like Him. The Apostle Paul reminds us, "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" (2 Corinthians 5:17). This transformation isn't instantaneous; it's a lifelong journey of spiritual formation.

Spiritual formation isn't exclusive to Christianity - it's a fundamental human experience. We're all constantly changing, shaped by our experiences, relationships, and choices. The question isn't whether we're being formed, but how and into what we're being formed into.

The question isn't whether we're being formed, but how and into what we're being formed.

For Christians, spiritual formation is the process of being shaped into people of love in Christ. It's about aligning our character with that of Jesus, allowing His love, compassion, and grace to permeate every aspect of our being.

However, this transformation doesn't happen by accident. It requires intentional effort and divine grace working in tandem. Many of us have tried various strategies to grow spiritually, often with limited success. Here are a few losing strategies:

1. Willpower: While determination is important, relying solely on our own strength often leads to burnout and failure.

2. More Bible study: Knowledge is crucial, but information alone doesn't guarantee transformation. As James K. A. Smith wisely noted, "You can't think your way to Christlikeness."

3. Waiting for a supernatural zap: While God certainly can and does work miraculously, waiting passively for a divine download of character change isn't the norm in scripture.

So, what makes becoming like Jesus so challenging? Two major obstacles stand in our way:

First, the reality of sin - not just the wrongs we commit, but also the harm done to us and the brokenness that surrounds us in the world. These forces work against our transformation, creating wounds that need healing and patterns that need breaking.

Second, we've already been formed by other influences. The stories we believe, the habits we've developed, and the relationships we maintain have all shaped us in ways that may not align with Christ's character.

Recognizing these challenges, how can we cooperate with God in our spiritual formation? Here's a holistic approach:

1. Teaching: Regularly expose yourself to truth through Scripture, sermons, and spiritually enriching content. This helps renew your mind and counter the lies that seek to derail your growth.

2. Practice: Jesus assumed His teachings would require practice. Just as you can't run a marathon without training, you can't live out Christ's teachings without consistent effort. Start small, be patient, and gradually build spiritual "muscles."

3. Community: We weren't meant to follow Jesus alone. Surround yourself with fellow believers who can encourage, challenge, and support you on the journey.

4. Holy Spirit: While we have a part to play, ultimate transformation comes through God's power. Cultivate an awareness of and reliance on the Spirit's work in your life.

5. Overtime: Spiritual formation is a lifelong process. As Eugene Peterson put it, it's "a long obedience in the same direction."

It's important to remember that spiritual formation isn't easy, fast, or entirely within our control. In a world that prizes quick fixes and instant results, the slow, sometimes messy work of soul-shaping can feel frustrating. But this is where the beauty lies - in the gradual unfolding of God's work in our lives.

We can take heart in knowing that God is even more invested in our transformation than we are. As we submit to this process, incredible changes can occur. We can experience healing from deep-seated wounds, break free from generational patterns of brokenness, and genuinely embody the love, joy, and peace of Christ.

The invitation is clear: to follow Jesus, to allow Him to shape us into people whose lives radiate His character. It's a journey of becoming - becoming more loving, more compassionate, more aligned with the heart of God.

As you reflect on your own spiritual formation, consider:

- What stories, habits, or relationships might be shaping you in ways that don't align with Christ's character?
- How can you intentionally expose yourself to truth and create space for practice in your daily life?
- Who are the people that can support and encourage you in this journey of becoming?

Remember, the goal isn't perfection, but progress. Each step, no matter how small, is a victory in the beautiful process of being formed in the way of Jesus. May we all embrace this journey of becoming, knowing that in the end, it's not what we accomplished, but who we became that truly matters.

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Here are some additional scriptures for you to reflect on this week:

1. Ecclesiastes 7:2 - "Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies—so the living should take this to heart."
2. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
3. Colossians 3:10 - "Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him."
4. 2 Corinthians 3:18 - "And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image."
5. Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
6. Matthew 7:14 - "But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
7. Mark 2:17 - "On hearing this, Jesus said to them, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'"
8. Genesis 3:1-5 - The passage where the serpent lies to Adam and Eve, paralleling the teaching on the importance of truth.
9. Matthew 5-7 - The Sermon on the Mount, highlighting Jesus’s teachings which require practice.
10. James 1:22 - "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."