Here’s a lesson I’m learning.
You don’t drift into godliness.
In fact, for almost everything in life, good things are the result of disciplined and intentional effort.
A universal rule
Take anything important or good; this is how it works.
A healthy, loving marriage.
A strong, abiding friendship.
Finishing a marathon.
Raising responsible, kind children.
Getting a degree.
You don’t lazily drift into these things. They all take effort, discipline, and work.
Taking it to the spiritual life
And this is just as true in the spiritual life.
God-centered people are formed through years of intentional rhythms, practices, and communion with God.
Godly people don’t just happen—they’re formed.
It takes decades of intentional effort to look more like Jesus. To be more humble, kind, discerning, peaceful, gentle, and holy.
This is why spiritual disciplines exist.
This is why churches exist.
The body of Christ is a gym where we are “equipped for the work of ministry” (Ephesians 4:12). It’s the place where we can practice living into our new kingdom reality together. By growing with, learning from, and serving one another. By living in sacred rhythms together through worship gatherings, the Lord’s Supper, prayer, service, and more.
This is why disciplines have existed within the Church for centuries.
Fasting, Sabbath-keeping, Bible reading, Spiritual Direction, prayer, confession, worship, almsgiving, and others are the means by which we are more and more conformed into the image of Jesus.
We don’t drift into godliness….but it’s not a mystery how we get there either.
There is a well-trodden path before us.
And, by the Holy Spirit’s power, we can get there—together.