Wednesday, 9 July’s devotional.
“For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…”
You may feel overwhelmed by your calendar, your toddler’s tantrum, or your strained patience. And in those moments, it’s easy to think that God’s purpose must be to relieve the pressure. But His purpose runs far deeper. “God’s good purpose isn’t to make you comfortable,” Mark said. “It is to make you like Christ.” His goal is not a smooth day, but a sanctified life.
Romans 8:29 tells us that God “predestined [us] to be conformed to the image of his Son.” That word “conformed” means shaped, molded, transformed. And Mark explained, “God cares about how you will end up. His desire is that you would be conformed toward the image of his Son.” That’s the trajectory of your life—Christlikeness.
God’s plan was never random. “Those whom God knew relationally, he predestined for something.” And that something is not just to believe, but to become like Jesus. Mark put it plainly: “He will take the highs of this life and the lows of this life and use all of this life in order to conform you toward the image of his Son.” Your stress, your parenting, even your suffering—they are all instruments in His hands.
God’s plan is not instant. It’s not a microwave. It’s more like a slow kiln. “Sometimes he shouts with a megaphone through the lows,” Mark said. Even the hard parts are not wasted. They are where grace does its most focused work.
So when you lose your patience, when the traffic delays you again, or when a child’s disobedience tests your gentleness, remember this: God is forming Christ in you. Not just in church, but in your car. Not just in quiet times, but in the chaos.
Pick one character trait of Jesus—patience, gentleness, endurance. Pray that today’s stress would shape you in that direction.
Ask your kids, “What do you think Jesus was like?” Then share how God is helping you become more like Him—even through tough days.
How does knowing God’s goal is Christlikeness change how you see today’s frustrations?
Lord, when pressure builds, remind me that You are shaping me into the likeness of Your Son. Make me more like Jesus today. Amen.
Watch the sermon here.
This devotional content is not penned by the preacher. It is derived from the sermon notes. We aim to provide bite-sized reflections throughout the week for devotion and reflection.