Transformed into His Image

We live in a world where productivity is a measure of success. Producing things, making things, and getting things done all give you worth and status in the world.

There is often less of an emphasis on how you go about doing things, just as long as you are ticking boxes and achieving something.

In the kingdom of God, it’s different. It is much more important to develop good character and to grow in Christlikeness rather than chase productivity and skills.

Now, I do believe it is good to make things, do things, and to develop our skills. However, this shouldn’t trump our need to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus.

Recently, I was reflecting back on a week where I had been really productive and got many things done. As I was reflecting, I came to the conclusion that perhaps the most important thing I had done that week was actually to pray for my friend.

In the midst of all the accomplished tasks and productivity, it was in these times of prayer that I recognised how God was helping me to become more and more like Him. He was shifting my focus to look outside of myself and He was helping me to connect with His love and compassion for my friend.

You can’t ride the wave of skill and accomplishment for long in the kingdom of God. Maybe for a short while you can get recognition and produce some fruit, but long term, skills alone don’t have lasting kingdom impact.

Good character and Christlikeness are what will produce a multiplication of fruit, and growing in these things is both a lifelong journey, and the journey of a lifetime.

2 Corinthians 3:18 says this: ‘And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.’

As you spend time with Jesus, beholding Him, seeking after His heart, and being moved by the things that move Him, you start to become more and more like Him. This character overflows into the way you do things and the way you treat people, which shifts culture around you and has lasting kingdom impact.