Shaped by What (And Who) You Love
By Ryan Dawson
As we continue our Practicing the Way journey together, I’ve been thinking about what it really means to grow as an apprentice of Jesus. Apprenticeship is not just about learning more information—it’s about formation. It’s about becoming more like Jesus in how we think, love, and live.
The author James K.A. Smith, in his book You Are What You Love, reminds us that “discipleship is a way to curate your heart, to be attentive and intentional about what you love.” That phrase really strikes me: what we love most is shaping us, whether we realize it or not.
We often assume we are shaped primarily by what we think or believe. But Jamie (fun fact - he is Jamie to me as we grew up together in the small town of Embro in Southwestern Ontario), points out that we are formed most by what we desire. Our hearts are like compasses—they are always being calibrated toward something we treasure. Over time, that “something” molds us into its image.
If we love comfort, we’ll organize our lives to protect our comfort above all.
If we love success, we’ll orient our habits and time around achievement and performance.
If we love security, we’ll orbit our lives around the acquisition of wealth, so we feel more secure.
If we love our image, we’ll offer our hearts to things that make us feel beautiful, attractive, and valued.
If we love Jesus, we’ll arrange our whole lives around Him.
That’s why the Practicing the Way journey matters—it helps us intentionally aim our hearts toward Jesus. The spiritual practices we’re learning—silence and solitude, prayer, Sabbath, community, generosity—are not boxes to check; they are habits of love. Each one trains our hearts to desire God above all else. Where are you aiming your heart?
The truth is, we’re all being formed by something—our routines, screens, relationships, and even our unspoken longings. The question is: Who or what is forming you and me? As apprentices of Jesus, we want to be intentional about who we are becoming. That begins by asking the Spirit to realign our hearts to love what Jesus loves. When we worship, pray, serve, and practice His way together, we’re not just learning about Him—we’re becoming more like Him.
So, as you walk through this next season, don’t underestimate the quiet power of small, faithful practices. Keep showing up in God’s Word. Keep making time to be with Jesus. Keep opening your heart to His transforming love. Because over time, what you love most will shape who you are—and when that love is Jesus, the result is a life that looks more and more like His.
“And we all… are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
On the journey with you,
Blessings, Ryan
As we continue our Practicing the Way journey together, I’ve been thinking about what it really means to grow as an apprentice of Jesus. Apprenticeship is not just about learning more information—it’s about formation. It’s about becoming more like Jesus in how we think, love, and live.
The author James K.A. Smith, in his book You Are What You Love, reminds us that “discipleship is a way to curate your heart, to be attentive and intentional about what you love.” That phrase really strikes me: what we love most is shaping us, whether we realize it or not.
We often assume we are shaped primarily by what we think or believe. But Jamie (fun fact - he is Jamie to me as we grew up together in the small town of Embro in Southwestern Ontario), points out that we are formed most by what we desire. Our hearts are like compasses—they are always being calibrated toward something we treasure. Over time, that “something” molds us into its image.
If we love comfort, we’ll organize our lives to protect our comfort above all.
If we love success, we’ll orient our habits and time around achievement and performance.
If we love security, we’ll orbit our lives around the acquisition of wealth, so we feel more secure.
If we love our image, we’ll offer our hearts to things that make us feel beautiful, attractive, and valued.
If we love Jesus, we’ll arrange our whole lives around Him.
That’s why the Practicing the Way journey matters—it helps us intentionally aim our hearts toward Jesus. The spiritual practices we’re learning—silence and solitude, prayer, Sabbath, community, generosity—are not boxes to check; they are habits of love. Each one trains our hearts to desire God above all else. Where are you aiming your heart?
The truth is, we’re all being formed by something—our routines, screens, relationships, and even our unspoken longings. The question is: Who or what is forming you and me? As apprentices of Jesus, we want to be intentional about who we are becoming. That begins by asking the Spirit to realign our hearts to love what Jesus loves. When we worship, pray, serve, and practice His way together, we’re not just learning about Him—we’re becoming more like Him.
So, as you walk through this next season, don’t underestimate the quiet power of small, faithful practices. Keep showing up in God’s Word. Keep making time to be with Jesus. Keep opening your heart to His transforming love. Because over time, what you love most will shape who you are—and when that love is Jesus, the result is a life that looks more and more like His.
“And we all… are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
On the journey with you,
Blessings, Ryan