When Jesus was young, the Bible says, “Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people” (Luke 2:52, NLT). Years later, when He was about 30, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. When he came up from the water, a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy" (Matthew 3:17, NLT). From that day on, Jesus’ public ministry began. He knew his mission and did not allow anyone or anything to deter him from fulfilling his Father’s will.

You were adopted into God’s family on the day you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. As a result, God accepts and recognizes you as his beloved daughter or son (2 Corinthians 6:18), whom he loves and cherishes. From the onset of your new birth in Christ, the transforming work of the Holy Spirit began refashioning you into the person God destined for you to become. It’s a holy inner work that continues throughout your lifetime.

As God’s beloved child, you need to know that your identity is not based in what you do, what role you play, or even your outward appearance. Why? Because these things shift, they change, and they fade away. Your core identity is found in Christ — an identity which is steady, secure, and eternal (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).

“Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (NLT)

God’s foremost mission is for you to know him more fully and for you to obey him as his child, so that you can grow, mature, and be refashioned into becoming more like Christ. Inward beauty and purity of heart are more important to God than outward appearance and worldly ambitions. This divine makeover takes place within your thoughts, heart, and conduct, which in turn equips you to do what God calls you to do (John 15:16).

As you permit God to transform you from within — by changing the way you think (Isaiah 55:8-9, Ephesians 4:22-24), the way you respond to others (Ezekiel 11:19, Colossians 3:12), and the way you live your life (1 Peter 3:3-4, Galatians 5:22-23) — you come to learn more clearly God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will. This noble mission pleases God, blesses others, and fits the refashioned you beautifully.

Don’t allow anyone or anything to deter you from following God’s will for your life (Psalm 37:34). Be watchful of the culture around you: its ways and people may change, but the Word of God never does. Allow God’s Word and his Spirit to govern your mind, heart, and actions — when you do, you’ll be living the higher life God destined for you as God’s beloved child.


Photo Credit: Chiara Abbate