When I started college, I thought the most difficult parts would entail making friends, managing my busy schedule, and being away from home. I didn’t expect to find doing laundry on that list of major challenges. From sorting the dirty clothes to loading the washer and dryer to folding and putting away the clean clothes, doing laundry can take several hours. Although this is a lengthy process, I’m always pleased when I am finished—especially when I have neat, clean clothes to wear throughout the week.

The process of doing laundry reminds me of the Christian life, which is also a process. However, being transformed into Christ’s image is a process that takes an entire lifetime and won’t be over until we reach heaven. Christ didn’t die for our sins so we would remain the same; He died for our sins so that He could transform us.

I would love to avoid some aspects of laundry, such as transferring the wet clothes to the dryer after they’ve been washed or folding the huge pile of clothes after they’ve been dried. But if I skip one of the particularly tedious steps in the process, the result won’t be as rewarding. Instead, I’ll end up with clothes that are still dirty or wet.

Likewise, we can’t rush becoming like Christ. Some aspects of it may seem especially dull or challenging—such as reading God’s Word, submitting to authority, or confessing our sins. But our transformation will be incomplete without them. All biblical instructions—even the wearisome ones—have significance in our lives.

When you doubt God is transforming you into the image of Christ—or when the transformation process becomes difficult—ask God to give you the motivation and patience to pursue Him faithfully. Trust that He works in your heart, even when you feel discouraged or defeated.