“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2

A beautiful sunset sky softly whispers that God is near.

To conform means to go along with what the people of the world do and with what they think is important. For example, do you want to wear the same clothes as other kids in your class? Do you want the same games, hair styles, shoes, or toys just because they have them? These things are all about how we look to others, our appearance. If we try to be like everyone else, we are trying to conform.

But God says, “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” I Samuel 16:7b It is not our outside that makes us who we are, it is our inside, our heart. This verse from the book of I Samuel in the Bible is talking about how God chose David, a young shepherd boy, to be the next king of Israel. I bet no one in David’s world thought he looked like a king! He was just a kid!

But God didn’t look at his small size or lack of strength and experience. God chose David because David believed and followed God and did what God wanted. David did not conform to the world. David also depended on God’s strength to help him when he defeated the giant, Goliath! David was transformed, completely changed, from a young boy caring for his father’s sheep to King David of Israel, because David looked first to God and what God wanted. David was called “a man after God’s own heart”.

Our top verse encourages all of us to be like David and be transformed, changed, by God. When we look to God for how we should live and how we should act and what we should say, we become a child of God and not just another follower of the world.

And just like God had a plan for David’s life, God has a plan for your life.

How do you find out God’s plan for your life? By believing and following God and trying to do what God would want you to do, just like David.

This week talk with your parents about what you think God’s plan for your life might be. Sometimes it can be more than one thing! It’s fun to consider all of the possibilities. It’s fun to dream of what your life might be like. What would you like to do with God’s help?

Draw a picture of what you think God’s plan for your life might be.

Afterwards ask your parents to share your picture as a reply to this blog so that everyone can learn about being transformed by God!