There is an important shift that takes place in the Christian life when we begin to move from knowing to becoming. For many of us, faith has been shaped primarily by what we understand. We learn Scripture, we grow in knowledge, and we develop a clearer picture of who God is. But over time, we begin to realize that knowing the truth and living it are not always the same thing.
This is where many people feel stuck. We know we are called to love, but we struggle to be patient. We believe God is present, but we often feel distracted or distant. We understand the importance of peace, but we find ourselves anxious in the pressures of everyday life. The gap is not a lack of sincerity. It is a lack of formation. Becoming more like Christ requires more than information. It requires intentional participation in a life with God.
Christian practices help bridge that gap. They are not about adding more spiritual tasks to an already full life. Instead, they are ways of creating space for God to shape us from the inside out. As we engage practices like prayer, Scripture meditation, silence, and daily rhythms of devotion, we begin to notice a gradual shift. What once felt like effort begins to take root in our lives. Over time, these practices move from something we do to something that becomes part of who we are.
This is the journey of formation. It is not immediate, and it is not forced. It unfolds slowly as we remain faithful in small, consistent steps. As you continue engaging with these practices, the goal is not simply to know more about God, but to become more like Christ in the way you live, respond, and relate to others. This is the invitation before you. Not just to learn the way of Jesus, but to live it.
Steve Lawes serves as the lead pastor of Keys Vineyard Church, founder of the Online Bible Institute Network, and leads the Christian Practices initiative through Tower of Praise, Inc. His heart is to help people grow in a steady and authentic relationship with God through simple, accessible rhythms of Scripture, prayer, and spiritual formation.
