Built DifferentNäide

Made New by Mercy

Welcome to the Built Different devotional! Looking forward to sitting in Titus through this devotional and unpacking how God changes us to change our community.

Have you ever tried to change something in your life, but it just didn’t seem to stick?
As we begin this series in Titus, it’s worth noticing where Paul begins. Before he gets into how people should live, he reminds them of what God has already done.

“But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us… not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” (Titus 3:4–5, NIV)

That line grounds everything. Our starting point isn’t effort or improvement. It’s God stepping in with kindness and mercy.

Paul then talks about “the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” That’s not just a nice idea; it’s describing something real happening in a person’s life. A fresh start, and then an ongoing process where God keeps working in us.

This is important because it changes how we think about growth. It’s not just about trying harder or doing better next time. There’s a deeper work happening, even if it’s slow or not always obvious.

Over time, that inner change begins to show up in everyday life. How we think, how we respond, what we care about.

So, as we move into this idea of being “built different,” it’s worth remembering that it starts here. God has already moved toward us, and He is still at work.

If you feel like you’re not where you want to be, that doesn’t mean nothing is happening; it means you’re human! Often, the work God is doing is steady and quiet.

Reflection & Practice:
Take a few minutes to think about where you’ve seen even small signs of change in your life over the past year. Write one or two down.

This week, build a simple habit of noticing God at work in you. At the end of each day, pause and ask: Where did I respond differently today? It might be small, but it’s important to pay attention to.