PRODUCTIVITY

Process over Product in the Spiritual Realm
This writing is about the concept of Christ’s process over our productivity. God has been teaching me a valuable lesson this month about the importance of his process over our drive for producing products, which I’d like to share with you.


For years, I’ve faithfully had daily, one-hour quiet times, and I’ve shared how Christ has used these early morning meetings with him to transform my intimacy with him. I’d then distill these mystical moments into writing and share them with you. Then, something equally profound happened–they morphed into a different form. I found that my one hour started decreasing in the morning, while the moments throughout the day when I had intimacy with Christ increased. I wondered what was happening and found it disconcerting that my productivity in my quiet times and subsequent journaling was decreasing. Yesterday, Bob, a good friend and faithful reader of this blog, texted me. “Dan, are you OK?” he wrote. “I’ve not seen a post from you in a while.” Well, I was wondering, too. His question caused me to reflect on God's methods to bring me closer to him.


I’m learning that our maturity in Christ is a process. There is no end product. We don’t arrive at a destination of holiness in our earthly form. Rich, a mentor, calls this CANI–continuous and never-ending improvement. As Christ-followers, we are all engaged in CANI in various forms at different times. Just as we can’t judge each other’s process, we should not judge our own. Christ is in charge. He knows what we need. We can trust that he’s figured out our process of sanctification. We can’t fully understand his methods but can rest on knowing he is in control. All we have to do is surrender to him, fully and completely, and embrace his process.


The concept of Christ’s process over our productivity is a profound truth that aligns with biblical principles of spiritual growth and maturity. God’s ways often challenge our understanding, especially regarding our desire for tangible results and visible progress. However, Scripture teaches us that God values our relationship with Him and the process of becoming more like Christ above the output of our efforts.


Philippians 1:6 reassures us that the work God is doing in us is a process that He will faithfully complete in His timing, not ours. It’s not about how much we produce but how we grow closer to Him through the journey.


“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 NIV


Our transformation is gradual, “from glory to glory,” indicating a continuous process rather than an immediate change. The focus is on the ongoing transformation rather than the result.


“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV


Even when we don’t see immediate results, our labor in the Lord is never in vain. God values our faithfulness and perseverance more than the visible outcomes.


“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV


As we walk with Christ, embracing His process over our desire for productivity is crucial. Our maturity in Him is not marked by the number of things we accomplish but by the depth of our relationship with Him and the transformation within us. Trusting God’s process means surrendering our timelines, expectations, and understanding to Him, knowing He is at work in ways we cannot always see. As we learn to rest in His sovereignty, we experience the true peace and growth that comes from being in His presence, not just producing for Him.


Let’s embrace this continuous journey, allowing Christ to shape us according to His perfect will.


Your aspiring servant, Daniel M.
August 20, 2024
POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate conversations with Christ.