There was a time when my daily goal was to just get through the day.  It was usually those days when I knew I had so much to accomplish that I actually didn’t have a clue how I would get it all done.

I wished I could hit the “fast-forward” button and leap into tomorrow.  Just skip the day and arrive at the next and have the benefit of having gone through the day without the pain and discomfort of actually going through the day.

It reminds me of the Adam Sandler movie, “Click”.  If only there were a way to avoid uncomfortable and trying times, and fast-forward into the blissful “day after”.

It’s actually similar to our walk with Christ.  The idea of growing up and becoming more and more like Him.

As a follower of Christ, I am a Christ-follower or disciple.  And a disciple not only follows but longs to soak in His teachings and live a life that is more and more like him.  Emulating Christ; being transformed into the likeness of Christ; conforming to Jesus and His ways.  These are all goals of the Christian walk.

Yet it’s not always easy.  It can be rather uncomfortable and sometimes painful. 

Sometimes I just want to "click" forward.

I’ve learned that transformation and spiritual growth is a journey, not a destination.  Spiritual maturity is a process that happens over time.

Growing up in our faith begins the moment we become a believer in Jesus through faith and turn from our sin.

Our desire is then to continue to grow spiritually throughout the rest of our lives.

Yet at the same time spiritual growth is a choice.  We have to choose to allow the Spirit of God to work in us and through us to bring about that ongoing transformation into the likeness of Jesus.

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."  Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV)

I remember being frustrated as a child when we would leave on our family vacation.  I wanted to be at our destination at my grandparent’s cottage in northern Michigan about 30 minutes into the 9 hour drive!  I couldn’t wait to get there!  I had no use for the journey, I just wanted to be there.  I wanted to click the fast-forward button and arrive at my destination.

We often want our transformation into the likeness of Jesus to be the same way.  We want to “arrive” at being just like Jesus yet we tire at the process and journey of getting there.  We grow frustrated that we continue to struggle with sin.  We sometimes grow weary of even trying to make progress on the journey.  We see the idea of becoming more and more like Jesus as an impossible goal.  So we beat ourselves up and quit trying.

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”  Romans 12:2 (NIV)

Consider this.  Spiritual growth requires effort; it just doesn’t happen.

God’s Word provides the truth we need to grow.

God’s people provide the support we need to grow.

Circumstances provide the environment we need to practice Christlikeness.

The important thing is that we are on the journey.  And once the journey begins (a relationship with Jesus), we need to stay the course.

We can never fully be like Jesus 100% while in this body, on this earth.  As followers of Jesus, we can’t be completely like Him until we see Him face to face in eternity.

“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”  I John 3:2 (NIV)

The journey in life of becoming more and more like Him while in this body should be the desire of our heart; to be constantly renewed and transformed.

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”  2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)

Jesus desires His followers to continue on the journey of becoming more like Him; the journey of growing up in Him.

Have you put down the remote yet?  What area of your life do you need to ask for the Spirit’s power to be like Christ today?

Click.