When I was younger, I was disciplined about going to the gym. I went regularly, I was consistent, and it was a meaningful part of my week. But over time, as life has filled up, my attendance has significantly dropped — even though my membership hasn’t. My wife has asked more than once whether I should just cancel it. And honestly, she has a point.

But in my mind, I am as committed as ever. I have every intention of going. It’s just that in practice, I keep falling short.

The Gap Between Intentions and Actions

That tension got me thinking about our journey of discipleship and what it means to outwork our faith.

It is remarkably easy to maintain a kind of connection — a membership, a sense of belonging — without actually putting into practice the things that shape and change us. The things that give us a real opportunity to grow, to reflect what we believe, and to live it out in our everyday lives.

We can start out motivated and passionate — moved by Scripture, by community, by a genuine encounter with God — and yet over time, if we’re not careful, familiarity can set in. We begin to neglect the very things that were once transforming our lives, and we settle for good intentions rather than faithful action.

Having a Plan, Not Just Intentions

One thing that has helped me is engaging with the Practicing the Way content — particularly the resources around building a rule of life. The idea is simple but challenging: having an actual plan for your discipleship, not just the intentions for it.

For me, that has looked like exploring different ways to pray, practising the examen, carving out times of solitude and retreat, and even fasting — which I won’t pretend to love, but I know it’s worthwhile.

The goal isn’t to be busy with spiritual activities. It’s to move beyond wanting to be like Jesus and actually making space for that transformation to happen — intentionally, consistently, over time.

A Prayer for Devonport

My hope and prayer is that the churches here in Devonport would be known not just for our love for Jesus, or our good intentions, but for the way we actually live that out — in our neighbourhoods, our families, our congregations, and our communities.

God, I pray for every person engaging with this. Would you continue to work in their hearts — building them, growing them, transforming them in the way that only you can. You taught us that if we put your words into practice, we build our lives on solid foundations. May that be true for all of us exploring this together. Move across your church in this city in a mighty way, and move our hearts so that our homes, our friendships, and our families would be impacted for your sake. Amen.

Be blessed. Love you guys.

Craig Guntrip – Village Church