Good morning. Today is Sunday, July 19th!

🥳 Congratulations on starting today with God, and thank you for letting us be a part of it.

— Romans 8:29

Who Are You Becoming?

If you asked most Christians, “What’s God’s plan for your life?” you’d probably hear answers like, finding the right career, marrying the right person, or making the right decisions.

Those things matter.

But according to the Bible, God’s greatest purpose for your life is even bigger.

Romans 8:29 says,

“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…”

That one verse tells the story of the entire Bible.

Let’s start at the beginning.

In Genesis 1:26–27, God created mankind in His image. That doesn’t mean we physically look like God. It means we were created to reflect Him, to love like Him, care like Him, rule His creation with wisdom, and enjoy a relationship with Him.

Then sin entered the world. Humanity didn’t stop bearing God’s image, but that image was distorted.

So what did God do?

He sent His Son.

Colossians 1:15 calls Jesus “the image of the invisible God.” If Adam showed us what humanity looked like before sin, Jesus showed us what humanity looks like when it’s lived exactly as God intended. Every word Jesus spoke, every miracle He performed, every act of compassion, every moment of forgiveness perfectly reflected the Father.

Now read Romans 8:29 again.

God’s plan isn’t only to forgive your sins so you can go to heaven one day. It’s also to make you more like Jesus today.

Notice the word “conformed.” Paul doesn’t say we instantly become like Christ. He says God is shaping us. Like a potter molding clay or a sculptor carefully chiseling stone, God patiently uses every part of our lives to transform us.

That’s why He can use success to teach humility, waiting to teach trust, suffering to build perseverance, and difficult people to teach forgiveness. Romans 8:28 says God works all things together for good, and verse 29 tells us what that “good” is: becoming more like Christ.

So maybe the biggest question isn’t, “What does God want me to do?”

Maybe it’s the question Romans 8:29 has been answering all along:

“Who is God shaping me to become?”

The answer is simple.

More than anything else, God is making you look more like His Son.

When you’re not sure how to pray, A.C.T.S. gives you a simple path to follow: Adore, Confess, Thank, and Ask.

Adoration: Father, thank You for Your love and for Jesus.

Confession: Forgive me when I don’t reflect Christ.

Thanksgiving: Thank You for patiently shaping me.

Supplication: Make me more like Jesus today.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

“Wild Ones” by Unspoken

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Thanks for letting us be a part of how you start your day with God.

See you tomorrow,

Zach | Start With God