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God has a plan for you. You know what it is? He wants to make you like himself. Not only will that bring him glory, it will bring you satisfaction. But what does it mean to be like him, and how does it happen?

The devotions that follow were created to help you begin to answer these questions. But they're only the starting point. Over the next several issues, we'll take a look at godliness by examining the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). As we study each of these godly characteristics, we'll find out how to make them a part of our lives. But first, let's start with the basics.

"And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)

Being godly means living a life that pleases God—acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with him. The key, though, is the walking part. It's only when we walk with God in a relationship with him that we're able to do what's right and love others. As we spend time getting to know him, he changes us. The change comes as we see how awesome God is and how we, with all our imperfections, pale in comparison. It comes as we learn that God became a man—Jesus Christ—just so he could die a painful death to save us from our sin. And what is our response? Amazement? Gratitude? Yes, but it has to be more than that. God wants us to be totally devoted to him, in much the same way you probably dream about being devoted to a husband or wife some day. Because of your love for that person, you'll want to spend time with them and you'll do nice things for them—not because you have to, but because you really want to. When we have this kind of devotion to God, the things we do for him won't be a chore to dread. They will become something you look forward to doing. Not only will that be more pleasing to God, you'll like it better too!

1) What does it mean to walk with God?

2) Two of your friends have bought you gifts. The first gives you the gift and says, "I got this for you because you mean so much to me!" The second friend hands you a gift and says, "I bought you this because friends are supposed to give each other stuff." Which gift would you rather receive? Why? When it comes to your relationship with God, which type of friend are you? Why do you do good things for God?

3) Ask God to help you understand who he is so that you'll want to be devoted to him.

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4)

To find any joy in a relationship with God, you have to agree that he knows what's best for you. You'll never find much "delight" in him if you're always fighting him.

A few years ago, I wanted to teach my little sister how to swim. She was only four at the time, and like many children her age, she was pretty afraid of the water. Because I knew how much fun being in water could be, I was determined to help her get over her fear. Her main objection was that she didn't want to get her face wet. So I promised her I'd keep her head above the water. I even demonstrated with another kid her age to prove that she could trust me. But it didn't help. When I tried to pull her away from the pool's steps, she screamed like crazy. Then, as if to prove that she didn't need me to have fun, she turned her nose up at me, and—in water that only came up to her ankles—started splashing around, saying, "See, look what I can do!"

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