28 October | Teens
«I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.… 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: 1,2
In the Bible, people often offered sacrifices to God as a form of worship or to ask for forgiveness. These were offerings of animals or other valuable things. But in Romans 12:1 and 2, Paul tells us about a different kind of sacrifice: being a “living sacrifice.”
Being a living sacrifice means offering your life to God, not in a sad or painful way, but by living in a way that pleases Him. It's as if every day is an opportunity to say to God: “Here I am, I want to live for you and do your will.” This includes letting go of our will, “sacrificing” our self, trying to be kinder, helping others more, being honest and making choices that show we love God and the people around us.
Paul also encourages us not to conform to this world. This means that we shouldn't just follow what everyone else is doing, especially if it's not in line with what God wants. We should be different, show God's love in our actions and words and let Him transform our minds, so that we can understand what is good, pleasing and perfect in His eyes.
Take Action
Find a way to observe the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly. You could look for a caterpillar and create a safe environment for it to transform, or watch a YouTube video that shows the whole process. As you watch this incredible transformation, reflect on how God wants to transform our minds and hearts. Just as the caterpillar turns into a butterfly, God wants us to go through a spiritual metamorphosis, renewing our way of thinking and acting, to become more like Jesus.