Becoming Like Jesus

"For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son..." (Romans 8:29)

I recall, while in college several years ago, after a time of prayer, the Lord led me to this Scripture.  He showed me how He was using the struggles of my life to make me more like Jesus.  That gave deeper meaning and purpose to the things I was going through.  

Now, several years later, as I look back on the struggles of life, I realize that the process of become more like Jesus is a never-ending.  Sometimes I get discouraged with the process.   

II Corinthians 3:18 says, "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."

The process of becoming like Jesus need not be a never-ending drudgery, but a glorious experience.  Yes, in His presence we are changed.  Yes, God uses uncomfortable circumstances to refine our character.  And, yes, sometimes in our struggles and sufferings we feel like we're going through the refiner's fire and it is painful.  However, at the deepest place of this process is a place of tremendous and glorious joy.