“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18, NIV

She met Jesus on a bus ride home from school. A classmate boldly shared the gospel, and in that moment, she gave her life to Christ. That same day, 11 students had surrendered to Jesus during a revival at school. The Spirit was clearly moving.

When she started coming to our youth group, her outgoing personality shone. She made friends easily, but as she grew in her faith, it became clear she was still wrestling with what it meant to walk in righteousness.

Each Wednesday before worship, we have a time called God Flexes, where students share how they’ve seen God work in their lives. Stories range from simple joys—like getting a new pet—to powerful testimonies of answered prayers. When she raised her hand to share, we were eager to hear what God was doing in her life.

“My God Flex is that I got a new girlfriend!” she announced confidently.

I quickly transitioned to the next student, realizing deeper conversations were needed. Over the following weeks, we walked through scripture together, discussing surrender—how following Jesus means laying everything at His feet and trusting that His design for our lives is good. She listened. She wrestled. And ultimately, she chose to let go of the identity she had been holding onto, embracing instead the identity Christ gave her.

A couple of months later, she raised her hand again to share a God Flex. I handed her the mic, unsure of what was coming.

“I’ve had a Holy Spirit Glow Up,” she said, grinning.

She went on to describe how God had transformed her heart—how surrendering to Him brought peace, joy, and even a newfound confidence in who she was. She said she felt more beautiful than ever—inside and out—because she had chosen to walk in obedience.

This is what Jesus does. Just as He met her on that bus and made her new in an instant, He continued His transforming work in her heart. He calls us out of sin, not to burden us, but to free us. And when we trust Him, His Spirit does a work in us that is undeniable—one that changes us from the inside out. That’s the real Holy Spirit Glow Up—a transformation so deep that it shines through our very lives, making us a reflection of His love and righteousness.

Heavenly Father, thank You for making us new in Christ. Thank You for the patience, grace, and love You show us as we surrender every part of our lives to You. Help us to trust that Your ways are good and to walk boldly in the righteousness You call us to. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Copyright Morgan Preston.

Morgan is a former middle school language arts and social studies teacher. She is currently Christian Educators’ Director of Marketing and Communications and serves her middle school students and teachers through First Priority.