The Goal

No, this isn't a post about the World Cup (but good on ya New Zealand for three draws in group play). I have been thinking lately about what I want to be restored to. I had always assumed that I wanted to be as good as before or as good as new, but now I'm thinking that's shooting too low. Like the 6 Million Dollar man (the bionic man, for those of you who remember), God can make me and will make me better than before. I have been reading "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan and realize that I do not want to be restored to the life I had before I left the USA. I am praying to be made more into the image of God. Yet, I know this will never happen this side of eternity:

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
I Cor 13:12

and

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14

I now realize this restoration project that is me will be finished when I come into the presence of my Jesus. Until then, I join the earth in groaning for the completion of this restoration project:

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Romans 8:22-25