The Compass Chronicles: Faith, Fandom & Life Podcast

The Quest for Virtue in a Modern World

• Javier M • Season 2 • Episode 27

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Have you ever sensed that something vital is missing from our modern lives? Not chaos or obvious evil, but a subtle hollowing-out where the weight of right and wrong has been replaced by a kind of moral numbness. This episode of Compass Chronicles explores what C.S. Lewis prophetically called "men without chests" – people with brilliant minds and strong appetites, but lacking the heart where virtue resides.

We're living in a world that celebrates speed over compassion, entertainment over growth, and emotional gratification over being shaped by truth. The result? A dangerous imbalance where cleverness without compassion leads to manipulation, passion without principle creates chaos, and knowledge without virtue produces apathy. Through examples from Lord of the Rings, Fruits Basket, Big Hero 6, and other stories from fandom, we examine how this hollowing happens and what it means for our spiritual lives.

But this isn't just cultural criticism – it's an invitation to restoration. Drawing from Scripture and the example of Christ, we unpack how virtue is formed not through information alone but through worship, service, suffering, community, and beauty. We explore how slowing down in a rushed world, embracing sacred rhythms, and training our affections toward what is good can rebuild what's been lost. As we navigate life in a distracted age, we discover that the heart isn't educated by logic alone, but through longing that's shaped by the Spirit.

This episode calls you to something deeper than surface-level faith – to become someone whose heart burns with something real because you've been with Jesus. Whether you're feeling spiritually numb or simply longing for more substance in your walk with Christ, join us as we learn together how to rebuild virtue in a distracted world. Your journey toward a heart fully alive in Christ begins with a single step.

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For listeners looking to deepen their engagement with the topics discussed, visit our website or check out our devotionals and poetry on Amazon, with all proceeds supporting The New York School of The Bible at Calvary Baptist Church. Stay connected and enriched on your spiritual path with us!

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Hey there and welcome to the Compass Chronicles podcast. I'm your host, javier, and I just want to say how genuinely honored I am that you're spending part of your day with me, whether you're driving to work, heading to class, relaxing at home or just looking for something real and uplifting to plug into. I'm really glad you pressed play today. This is the space where faith meets fandom and where everyday moments collide with eternal truth. Each episode, we dig into meaningful stories, open up the word of God and unpack those gems from pop culture whether it's movies, comics, anime, music or beyond that point us towards something deeper and more sacred. So go ahead and grab your favorite drink, maybe something to snack on, and settle in for a bit, because here at the Compass Chronicles, we're all about sparking something in your heart and stirring your soul. Together, we're learning to walk in bold faith and deep compassion, to live with courage, love like Jesus and stay rooted in grace, no matter what season of life you're in. And hey, if today's episode hits home for you, don't let it stop there. Pass it along to a friend, a loved one or someone who might need the reminder that they were made for more than just getting by. They were designed for purpose, built for endurance, called to live for Christ. Be sure to follow us on all your favorite social platforms and, of course, you can listen to the Compass Chronicles anywhere you enjoy podcasts. Hit that subscribe button so you never miss a moment of truth, encouragement or a good ol' holy geek out. If you're ever in need of prayer, a little encouragement or just want to reach out, you can email us at thecrossroadsot at gmailcom. We'd love to hear from you, pray with you and help you find a community that walks alongside you as your heart is rebuilt in Christ.

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Now let's dive in. Today we're unpacking a question that feels more important than ever. What happened to virtue In a culture that often prioritizes comfort, convenience and cynicism? How do we stay rooted in what's right? How do we keep our moral compass steady when truth feels flexible and goodness gets written off as old-fashioned? And maybe the real heart of it is this how do we rebuild that inner core where our values don't just sit on a shelf but actually shape how we live, where we don't just believe in what's good, we love it and live it out every day? There's something quietly off about the way modern life feels, not always loud or chaotic, but more like a nagging sense that something important is missing. It's not that people are more evil than they used to be. It's that many have stopped feeling the weight of right and wrong altogether. There's a kind of numbness that's crept in. We live in a world that celebrates speed over compassion, entertainment over growth and chasing feelings over being shaped by truth, and that shift is subtle but deeply shaping us.

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When CS Lewis spoke of men without chests, he wasn't just describing a loss of masculinity, he was addressing the fragmentation of the human being. The head is where logic and reason live. The belly is where appetite and desire dwell, but the heart is the bridge, it's where trained affections reside. The heart is the seat of virtue. It's where you don't just know something is right, you feel it in your bones and choose it with your life. Lewis warned that modern education and culture were producing people with intellectual knowledge and physical passion, but without moral conviction. And the danger of that imbalance is that cleverness without compassion leads to manipulation, passion without principle leads to chaos and knowledge without virtue leads to apathy. You know those people who can rattle off Bible verses, win every theological debate or dominate a political discussion, but seem to miss the mark on kindness, humility or self-control. It's not that they don't know the truth, they just haven't let it shape their hearts. The gospel isn't meant to stay up in our heads. It's meant to change our whole self's heart, soul and strength.

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A great example of this kind of hollowing out shows up in the Lord of the Rings, through Saruman. He begins as someone full of wisdom and purpose, a leader meant to protect what's good, but somewhere along the way he gets consumed by the desire for power and control. He starts chasing progress for its own sake and loses sight of what truly matters. He still talks like a wise man, using grand words, but the heart behind it is gone. The fire, the reverence, the clarity, it's all been replaced by ambition and, honestly, that feels a lot like the world we're in today. We've got plenty of smart, capable people who are building systems, launching movements and leading change, but without a deep grounding in truth, virtue or humility. The real danger isn't just making mistakes, it's building entire frameworks without a moral compass. When that kind of emptiness spreads, it doesn't just mislead us, it can break us.

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In Romans, chapter 1, verse 21, Paul writes For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking and their foolish hearts were darkened. That's what Lewis was talking about Knowing what's good but having no heart to honor it. We see this in politics, education, entertainment and even sometimes in the church People with brilliant minds and powerful platforms but no heart and no seat of virtue. Now, this episode isn't about being gloomy. It's about waking up. It's about looking at the mirror honestly and asking have I become one of the hollow and yes, that's a little nod to one of my favorite animes titled Bleach. You also have to ask yourself have I settled for knowledge over wisdom, for cleverness over kindness, and, if so, how do I rebuild what's been lost?

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The first step is recognition. We can't change what we won't confront, and so we look around and we look within. Where has our culture traded substance for style? Where have we been taught to admire goodness but not pursue it? Where have we perhaps allowed ourselves to drift into that numb, unfeeling place? We're living in a time where the surface gets all the spotlight. Social media helps us craft the perfect image. News and trends keep us constantly reacting instead of reflecting. And, let's be honest, success is too often measured by how visible you are not by who you really are.

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But here's the question we have to ask what good is it to gain the whole world if in the process, you lose your soul? The gospel calls us back to something deeper In Philippians, chapter 4, verse 8,. Paul says Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Knowing the truth isn't enough. We've got to love it and more than that, we've got to live it out every day. This journey we're on today is not just about philosophy or critique. It's about restoration, about letting the spirit of Christ fill the hollowness with virtue, with affection for truth, with courage to stand and compassion to serve. So if the first step is recognizing the void, then the next is understanding what we were meant to have.

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Lewis argued that real education does not just inform. It forms not only the mind but the whole person. And if we want to rediscover virtue, we need to ask how the heart is educated. How are souls trained to love what is good, true and beautiful? Let's start by getting real. Virtue doesn't just happen on its own. No one accidentally becomes courageous. You don't wake up one day full of integrity without some effort. These qualities have to be built, shaped and practiced, like working out a muscle or learning a song by heart. They take repetition and intention until they become second nature, until they become part of who we are. That's really what Proverbs chapter 22, verse 6, is getting at when it says train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old. He will not depart from it. The way we shape the heart matters. It's not just about rules. It's about reaching the heart, not just giving information, but offering inspiration.

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Let's take an example from Big Hero 6, a story that mixes science, loss and heroism in a way that speaks deeper than most animated films. Hero is not just a tech genius. He is a teenager struggling with grief, identity and purpose. It is not Baymax's programming or gadgets that shape him most. It is his brother's legacy, the friendships he builds and the emotional truth he uncovers through love and sacrifice. Hero's journey to becoming a hero is about formation, not just function. His growth does not come from raw intellect. It comes from the heart. That is the key.

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Virtue is not simply about what we know. It is about what we love. Augustine, one of the great church fathers, said that the essence of virtue is rightly ordered love. When our loves are out of order, when we love comfort more than courage, success more than service or popularity more than purity, our lives reflect that disorder. But when our loves are guided by truth, rooted in Christ and inspired by what is beautiful, our character starts to look more like heaven.

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The heart is not educated only by logic. It is shaped through longing, and that means the training ground for virtue is found in worship, in story, in service and in suffering. These are the places where we start to want what is good, not just admire it from afar. Think about worship. It's not just singing songs. It's about where we aim our hearts. Every time we worship, we're training ourselves to desire what's holy, to cherish grace and to find joy in the Lord. Worship gently reminds our hearts where our love truly belongs. Then think of service.

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It is one thing to talk about humility, but when you are cleaning up after someone who never says thank you or helping a friend who never returns the favor, that is when you begin to learn what humility really feels like. The heart is formed in the act of showing up and giving anyway. And we cannot ignore suffering, as much as we want to avoid it. Suffering has a way of shaping the soul like nothing else. In Romans, chapter 5, verses 3 through 5, paul writes we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. And hope does not put us to shame. We do not grow by running from pain. We grow by walking through it with Christ. And while we walk, our hearts are being formed. Now let's talk about how modern culture often misses the mark when it comes to shaping character.

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A lot of what we call moral formation today is either shallow or handed off to others. It is outsourced to media or boiled down to cute slogans. You have probably heard this one many times Just follow your heart. It sounds good, but what does that really mean? Follow your heart where Toward? What If your heart is not anchored to something solid like truth, responsibility or grace? It is not guidance, it is a gamble. It trains us to value feeling over formation.

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Even in anime you can see this struggle. So many stories lean on raw emotion but skip the process of real growth. Then you have something like Fruits Basket, a series that does things differently At the beginning. Characters like Kaio and Yuki are wrapped up in pride, fear and emotional pain. What starts to change them is not a dramatic moment. It is Toru, her kindness, her consistency, her ability to love without strings. That is what begins to heal them. It is slow, it is quiet, but it is real. That is the kind of transformation we need, one that builds character and brings healing.

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Scripture supports this kind of formation too. Colossians, chapter 3, verse 12, says Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. Notice how it begins with the heart. These virtues are not downloaded like apps. They are formed as we walk with the spirit, day by day, choice by choice. This is where parents, teachers and mentors play their most sacred role not simply to correct bad behavior, but to awaken a love for what is good, to show virtue in a way that draws people in. You do not teach the heart by preaching at it. You teach the heart by living what you believe. You show a young person what it looks like to forgive when it is difficult to give without needing recognition, to apologize first, to stand firm when it would be easier to give in.

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Even in the world of gaming, you can find surprising lessons in empathy and virtue. One beautiful example is the game To the Moon. It is not flashy or action-packed. It is a simple, story-driven experience about two doctors who travel through a dying man's memories to fulfill his last wish. As the story unfolds, it reveals layers of love, loss and sacrifice. There are no points for power or speed. What the game honors instead is compassion, memory and deep human connection. It reminds us that some of the most powerful choices we make are the ones rooted in grace.

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So how do we take all of this and bring it into real life? We start by immersing ourselves in the things that shape what we love Worship deeply, read meaningful stories, make space for silence. Choose music that lifts your soul toward eternity. Journal through your grief and your healing. Serve others where no one sees you. These small decisions shape the heart day by day, thought by thought, moment by moment. And here is something you cannot forget you are not walking this path alone. The Holy Spirit is not just beside you. He is within you. He is your guide, your comforter, your companion. He is doing the quiet and transformative work in you, even when you do not see it happening.

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In 2 Corinthians 3, verse 18,. It says that we all, with unveiled face beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. This is not about striving harder. This is about abiding deeper. The gospel does not simply call you to live with virtue. It empowers you to be transformed by Christ from the inside out.

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What the world needs right now is not more clever arguments or louder opinions. It needs people with hearts that have been shaped by Christ, people who show courage without cruelty, compassion without compromise, conviction without self-righteousness, people who walk with quiet strength because they have walked closely with the Savior. If you really want to numb the heart of a generation, you do not need to throw darkness in their faces. Just keep them constantly entertained, keep them endlessly scrolling, keep them busy, distracted and comfortable. That is all it takes to wear down a soul over time. We live in an age of non-stop updates, curated content and instant gratification, and while these things are not all bad, they can become dangerous when they take us away from being formed. Cs Lewis reminded us that a society of men without chests is not an accident. It is shaped by what it consumes, what it values and what it avoids. We have become skilled at avoiding anything that asks us to go deeper, especially when it feels hard.

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Formation takes time, it requires discomfort, it needs stillness, but our modern world hates all three. When we feel bored, we reach for a device. When we are sad, we stream a show. When we are stressed, we scroll or shop or snack, and before we even realize it, we have trained ourselves to run from the very moments that shape us. Jesus did not do that. In Matthew 4, verse 1, it says Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. That was not a place of distraction, it was a place of clarity. That is where his identity and his integrity were tested and confirmed.

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How often do we allow ourselves to sit in a space like that To wrestle with our calling, to confront our thoughts, to wait with God in the quiet? The truth is, silence can feel uncomfortable. Being still with our thoughts can seem intimidating, so we often fill the space with noise and movement, but in doing so we risk missing the gentle voice of God that most often speaks in the stillness. Here is a great example from an unexpected place the animated film WALL-E. It is quiet. It moves slowly. It tells a deep and emotional story with very little dialogue. Wall-e is not a hero because he is flashy or strong. He is a hero because he is faithful, curious and full of gentle love. His transformation happens slowly, through silence, through connection, through sacrifice.

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That kind of formation mirrors what often happens in our spiritual life Slow, steady, sacred. Now compare that to what we see in so much media today TikTok videos that pass in seconds, influencers who focus more on image than on truth, content that is all about laughs or clicks rather than substance. It moves quickly and rarely pauses, but growth does not happen in that kind of pace. Deep change requires time. Our souls need space to be formed, not just filled. This is not just a cultural issue, it is a spiritual one.

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In Galatians, chapter 5, verses 22 and 23, paul gives us a list of what the spirit produces in us Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. These are not instant traits, they are not quick downloads. They grow like fruit in a garden, slowly, with time, with care. But we live in a world that rushes everything and when something takes time it can feel like it is not worth it. That is exactly why we need to protect these slower, more sacred rhythms.

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Even how we interact with scripture can reflect this hurried mindset. Instead of meditating on the word, we look for short verses to post. Instead of entering into deep prayer, we send up quick requests like text to heaven. And while none of that is necessarily wrong, it does reveal something we have become shaped more by distraction than by devotion. Technology plays a part too Our smartphones, smart homes, even smart cars they all anticipate our needs and respond instantly. Convenience has become king. But here is the challenge when convenience becomes our highest goal, conviction slowly fades, because virtue is rarely easy. Forgiveness costs you something. Telling the truth takes courage, patience can feel like suffering, and you cannot microwave the fruit of the spirit.

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There is a beautiful film that illustrates this in a quiet but profound way. It is called Song of the Sea. The story follows a young boy and his mute sister on a journey through grief, healing and wonder. What makes it powerful is not action or fast pacing. It is the slowness, the silence, the lingering beauty in every frame. The story unfolds gently, and that gentleness allows the message to settle deep. That is what we need more of sacred slowness, the kind that allows the heart to breathe when you sit with scripture instead of skimming, when you pray without rushing, when you show up fully in a hard conversation, when you receive the Sabbath not as a rule but as a gift. These are the places where real formation happens not in the rush, but in the rest.

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James, chapter 1, verse 4, puts it this way and let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete. Lacking in nothing but steadfastness does not grow in chaos. It grows in consistency, through quiet, faithfulness, through doing the next right thing again and again, even when no one sees it. The enemy does not always try to tempt you with obvious rebellion. Sometimes he just wants to keep you distracted. If he cannot make you turn away from God, he will settle for making you too busy to notice him. And that might be even more dangerous, because a distracted believer is a vulnerable one, too tired to care, too rushed to listen, too numb to feel what really matters.

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Here is the truth we all need to hear. The world is forming us, whether we are intentional about it or not. Every scroll, every click, every conversation, every moment, it is all shaping who we are. So if we are not being formed by scripture, by the spirit, by the people of God, then we are still being formed Just in a direction we never chose. There is no spiritual autopilot. Every day you are being shaped. The only question is, by what? So how do we fight back against the emptiness that is creeping into our souls? Let's begin by slowing down on purpose, not to escape life, but to actually be present in it.

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Choosing slowness in a world that runs non-stop is a quiet way of saying I don't have to live on autopilot. Step away from the noise. Take a walk without your phone, leave the headphones at home, let yourself be fully present. Pick one of the gospels and read it slowly, not as a task to check off, but as a way to connect with Jesus. Write something out by hand. Sit in silence for a few minutes without any distractions. These aren't outdated or overly spiritual habits. They're simple, sacred rhythms that help us stay grounded when everything around us feels rushed. Then lean into the moments that no one sees. A small, quiet, faithful acts. Call the person you have been meaning to forgive, be the first to say I am sorry, get up early just to pray, volunteer in a place that does not hand out praise. These choices may seem small, but they are what shape the soul. They are the spiritual workouts that build real strength. What we need is not more hustle, we need more depth. We need people whose hearts burn with something real, not because they are trendy, but because they have been with Jesus. People who live with conviction, not for applause, but out of obedience to Christ.

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The gospel is not fast food, it is a feast. It is not fast food. It is a feast. It is not consumed in a rush. It is meant to nourish you slowly, deeply, over time. So take a breath, slow your pace, pay attention to what is forming your soul. Let your life be shaped by something more than noise and distraction. If we are going to talk about what it means to live with a heart with affections trained by truth, with a soul that beats in rhythm with what is good, then we have to look at the one who lived it perfectly.

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Jesus Christ did not just know what was true, he loved it. He did not just teach virtue, he embodied it. In a world full of performance, he was authentic In a culture full of pretense. He was present. He did not impress, he transformed. He did not manipulate. He moved in love. Jesus wept with those who grieved. He blessed the children, he rebuked the proud, he flipped the tables in the temple and he walked toward the cross. When he could have walked away, his life was not fragmented. It was whole, every moment guided by the love of the Father and the love for others. That is what a formed heart looks like Not soft sentimentality, not cold stoicism, but a steady, spirit-filled life that holds grace and truth together.

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Look at John 8, verses 3-11. The woman caught in adultery is dragged into the public square. The crowd is ready to throw stones. They want Jesus to make a choice. If he shows mercy, they will accuse him of ignoring the law. If he opposes the law, they will call him cruel. But Jesus does not react. He responds, he kneels, he writes in the dust and then he speaks. Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her. One by one, they walk away. Then he turns to her and says neither do I condemn you. Go and from now on, sin no more. That is what virtue looks like Grace and truth, justice and mercy. Not a compromise but a perfect balance. Not rules but righteousness lived out with power and compassion.

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Jesus did not just preach about love, he lived it in ways that cost him something. That is the mark of real virtue, not surface level kindness, not-good empathy, but love that leads to action even when it is uncomfortable. He did the same with the rich young ruler in Mark, chapter 10, verses 17 through 22. When the man asked what he needed to do to inherit eternal life, jesus reminded him of the commandments. The man said he had kept all of them, but Jesus saw deeper. Verse 21 says and Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him you lack one thing. Go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me. Do not miss that moment. Jesus loved him and then told him the hard truth. That is what real virtue does. It confronts, it calls people higher. A heart that is formed by Christ does not shy away from truth, but it always delivers it with love.

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Now think about the religious leaders in Jesus' time. They knew the scriptures, they had the traditions, they looked apart, but their hearts were not in it. In Matthew, chapter 23, verse 27, jesus says Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you are like whitewashed tombs which outwardly appear beautiful but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. That is the danger of external faith with no internal formation, a life that looks holy on the outside but is hollow at the core. This is not just their story. It can be ours too. We can know all the right words, go through the motions, attend all the events, but if our hearts are not being shaped by the Spirit, we can become the very thing Jesus came to change. So how did Jesus avoid that hollowness? How did he remain full of truth, full of grace and perfectly aligned with the will of God in such a broken world? The answer is communion, constant communion with the Father.

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In Mark, chapter 1, verse 35, we read and rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place and there he prayed. Jesus made time to step away, to reconnect, to realign. If the Son of God needed that rhythm, how much more do we? We often talk about following Jesus in the big things Love your neighbor, take up your cross, preach the gospel. But before we do any of that, we need to follow his way of life, his way of slowing down, of praying alone, of seeking the Father in silence. That is where the heart is forged, not in the spotlight, in the secret place. Maybe you're thinking that all sounds good, but I'm not Jesus. I get distracted, I mess up, I lose focus, and you know what, of course you do, we all do this. That's exactly why Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, not just to comfort us, but to shape us.

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Romans, chapter 8, verse 29, says For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son. That's what sanctification is all about. It's not just about trying harder or cleaning yourself up. It's about being transformed slowly and deeply into someone who reflects Jesus more and more over time. And the beauty of the gospel is that Jesus does not just show us virtue, he gives it to us. His heart becomes our heart. His courage becomes our courage. His love becomes our way of life. That is the power of the new covenant Not rules carved in stone, but love written on hearts of flesh.

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Hebrews, chapter 8, verse 10, says I will put my laws into their minds and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God and they shall be my people. It's true, the world can feel like it's full of people who've lost their heart, but we follow a savior whose heart burns with holy love. And he's not just calling us to believe a set of ideas. He's calling us to follow him with everything we are, to let him reshape our desires, to become the kind of people who don't just know what's right but who actually long for it, who live it out because we love him, not out of duty but devotion. A heart like that doesn't get formed by effort alone. It's the result of surrender, of staying close, of walking with the one who walked this road before us and still walks with us through his spirit. And we don't grow in isolation. That's not just a nice thought, it's a spiritual reality. From the Garden of Eden to the early church in Acts, god has always formed his people together, not apart. If we want to rediscover true virtue, we need both solitude and connection. The heart may be shaped in quiet moments, but it's refined in relationship.

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Cs Lewis got this ina way that few do. His friendship with JRR Tolkien and the rest of the Inklings wasn't just about books or stories. It was about shaping each other's souls. They pushed one another to think deeply, live faithfully and stay anchored in both truth and imagination. Lewis once said that friendship starts when one person says to another Wait, you too I thought I was the only one that kind of shared moment, that spark of recognition, is where real spiritual formation begins, and it's the same for us.

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You can read all the theology books you want or listen to great sermons every week, but if you're not walking in real community with other believers, you'll eventually hit a wall. We all need people who speak truth into our lives. Who need people who speak truth into our lives, who pray with us, who see our blind spots and love us enough to point them out. That's how growth really happens. Hebrews, chapter 10, verses 24 and 25, says and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Community stirs us, it calls us out of apathy, it provokes love, it provokes good works, it sharpens us in ways we cannot sharpen ourselves. Think about Proverbs, chapter 27, verse 17. Iron sharpens iron and one man sharpens another. That sharpening is not always smooth. It creates sparks, it causes friction, but that is how edges are formed, that is how virtue is shaped, not in comfort, in commitment.

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Let's look at a beautiful example from a lesser known animated series, rania the Robber's Daughter, based on the novel by Astrid Lindgren. Rania and Berk come from rival clans, but their unlikely friendship transforms not only themselves but their entire families. They sharpen each other not through competition or performance, but through loyalty, honesty and the courage to question the wrongs they inherited. Their relationship is built on trust and through it they grow into people of character. Stories like that may seem simple, but they remind us of something powerful Virtue is formed through relationship.

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Now take a moment and think about your own life. Who are the people who call you higher, who ask the hard questions? Who refuses to let you settle for shallow faith? If you cannot name anyone, that might be part of the reason your heart feels tired or dry. We were never meant to do this alone. Real community is not just a nice addition to your life. It is a tool of spiritual formation. It trains our hearts by letting us watch others live with integrity, joy and sacrifice.

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1 Corinthians 15, verse 33 says Do not be deceived. Bad company ruins good morals. That is not just a warning about peer pressure. It is a truth about how formation works. The people you let closest to you are either building your heart or hollowing it out. This is why the local church matters, not just as a building but as a body, a place where young and old, strong and struggling, new and seasoned believers come together to pursue Christ. Not to pretend, but to grow Together.

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In community, we confess sin, we forgive offenses, we carry burdens, we serve, not because it is easy, but because it is good. This is how virtue becomes real. Not is easy, but because it is good. This is how virtue becomes real, not just in theory, but in relationships. Galatians, chapter 6, verse 2, says bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. That is what community looks like People carrying one another with grace and truth, not from a distance, but shoulder to shoulder. Even in fandom we see this reflected in powerful ways. Think about the anime Wolf Children, a quiet and beautiful story about a mother raising two children who are part wolf, part human. It is not about big battles or dramatic twists. It is about sacrifice, about love, about teaching children how to live in the tension of two identities. It is about community and formation. It shows us that the most meaningful shaping happens in the ordinary, the relational, the deeply human moments.

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We all live in that same kind of in-between space between the kingdom of God and the culture around us, and if we want to build hearts that carry virtue, we need people beside us who speak that kingdom truth into our lives. So how do you build that? Start with intention. Join a small group and if you cannot find one, start one. Invite people into your life who make you want to pray more, love better and live with deeper faith. Be vulnerable, ask for accountability, offer it back, show up consistently, celebrate the small wins, mourn the losses together. Be the kind of friend who points others to Jesus with your presence and your words. You do not need dozens of people, just a few faithful ones, people who remind you who you are when the world tries to make you forget. Jesus never called anyone to follow him in isolation. He built a fellowship. Even in his hardest moments he was surrounded by people. Some betrayed him, others strengthened him, but he never walked alone, and you do not have to either.

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The heart doesn't grow overnight. It's shaped slowly through every quiet prayer, every small act of kindness, every real and honest conversation. That's how character is formed, that's how virtue takes root. Let's not settle for shallow friendships when what we need are deep relationships that sharpen the soul. Find your people, stay rooted in community and watch how God uses those relationships to shape you into someone strong, steady and fully alive in Christ.

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The human soul was never meant to live on doctrine alone. Now hear me clearly. Truth is essential. But for truth to do its deepest work it has to reach the heart and more often than not it is beauty that opens that door. Beauty is not just something we decorate with. It is something that shapes us. It forms what we love, it stirs what we feel. It calls us upward into something eternal.

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In Philippians, chapter 4, verse 8, paul tells us what to set our minds on Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable. That word lovely matters. It is a reminder that holiness is not just right, it is beautiful. And when we let beauty train our affections, the heart begins to align with heaven. Cs Lewis knew this. He did not come to Christ through cold logic. He came through wonder, through story, through the ache of joy. What led him to Jesus was not just argument, it was imagination awakened by truth.

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The arts have always played a part in rebuilding the heart. They stir longing, they invite reflection. They help us see the fingerprints of God in ways we sometimes miss. Poetry invites us to slow down, to pause, to really listen, not just with our ears but with our hearts. It helps us feel things we might otherwise rush past. A poem like Love Women Three by George Herbert isn't long, but in just a few lines it captures something deep and powerful at the very heart of the gospel. It's the voice of Christ inviting us to sit at the table of grace. No shame, no earning, just love that says you're welcome here. That kind of beauty forms us, it softens us, it draws us in.

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Beautiful storytelling has a way of shaping us from the inside out. Whether it's a moving scene in a film, a well-crafted novel or even a quiet moment in a play, stories help form our imagination and our understanding of truth. They remind us that we're not alone in our questions or our hope. Visual art does the same. A painting like Rembrandt's Return of the Prodigal Son speaks volumes without a single word. The father's open arms, the son's posture of surrender, the contrast of light and shadow. It brings the parable to life and reminds us that grace meets us exactly where we are.

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It's like when a song hits a note that stops you in your tracks, not because it's loud or flashy, but because it stirs something deep inside you. You can't quite name it, but it feels like longing, like a memory of something good and true that you haven't fully grasped yet. It's not about escaping the moment, it's about being reminded that we were made for more. That kind of beauty doesn't distract at awakens or consider the indie video game journey. There is no dialogue, no instructions, just a road figure traveling toward a distant light. Along the way you meet a silent companion. You help each other without words and when you reach the summit, something inside you feels awakened. That is not just game design, that is formation. It speaks to something deeper that ache you feel when beauty catches you off guard, that sudden longing, that quiet sense. There's something beyond all this. It's not just emotion, it's a reminder.

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Cs Lewis once wrote that if we find in ourselves a desire, nothing in this world can satisfy. The most likely explanation is that we were made for another world. When beauty is rightly aimed, it doesn't just inspire us, it points us home. So how do we let beauty form our hearts? First, choose wisely. Not every aesthetic is sacred. But when you find a piece of music, a story, a film, a painting that pulls you toward God, linger with it. Let it speak to you, let it soften what is hardened, Let it stretch your vision. Second, create. Whether you write music, design shirts, paint, bake or garden, do it with purpose. Let your creativity reflect your creator. Do it not to impress but to inspire. Let your work become a window through which others can glimpse God. Third, build beauty into your rhythms. Light a candle during prayer, read scripture aloud, memorize a psalm, listen to worship music in your car, walk in nature and call it praise. Use your senses to train your soul.

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When the heart is surrounded by beauty that reflects God, it begins to long for Him. We live in a world that is often loud, fast and harsh, but we follow a Savior who is gentle and lowly, a Savior who sees what is lovely and calls it forth. He took our ashes and gave us beauty. He endured the ugliness of sin to show us the wonder of grace. If we want to rebuild our hearts, we need to learn to love what is beautiful, not as the world defines it, but as God does, because when we surround ourselves with the kind of beauty that reveals His nature. We are slowly shaped into the people we were meant to be. Beauty will not save you, but it will lead you to the one who can.

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We have covered a lot today, from Lewis' warning to Christ's example, from distraction and delay to depth and formation. But now the question comes to you what will you do with all of this? It is one thing to think about virtue, it is another to be changed by it. What the world needs right now is not more thinkers, it needs lovers of what is good, people whose hearts are alive and formed. It starts with a decision. Will you choose to become someone who stirs others toward holiness, not because you are loud, but because you are formed, not because you are perfect, but because you are being shaped by Christ?

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2 Peter, chapter 1, verses 5 through 8, says For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is not passive, that is pursuit, that is what it means to build a heart with Christ. So let's get practical.

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Look at your habits. Are they forming you into someone who reflects Jesus? Are you choosing depth over distraction? Are you reading, praying, worshiping in ways that train your heart? Look at your relationships. Are you surrounded by people who sharpen you, people who speak life, people who ask the real questions? Look at your imagination. What do you dream about? What do you desire most in the quiet? Is it comfort and ease, or is it purpose, holiness and eternity?

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And then ask the spirit to rebuild what has been hollowed. Maybe you have been going through the motions, maybe you have chased the image without being formed in the likeness of Christ. The good news is this you are not disqualified. Our God rebuilds, he restores, he breathes life into dry bones and gives flesh to stone hearts. In Ezekiel, chapter 36, verse 26, he says I will give you a new heart and a new spirit. I will put within you. That promise is still true as a church, when it is healthy. It is not a place of performance. It is a community of virtue, a place where broken people are made whole, where shallow faith is deepened, where hollow hearts are filled.

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So be a person with a heart, a person who lives what they believe, a person whose life points others to Jesus. Be the kind of father who leads with love and truth. Be the kind of mother who carries both grace and strength. Be the kind of friend who tells the truth with tenderness. Be the kind of artist who makes beauty that awakens souls. Be the kind of worker who chooses honesty when no one is watching, because when the church is filled with hearts like that, the world sees something different, something holy In an age of noise. Be still In a world of performance. Be real In a culture of apathy. Be a soul on fire. Let's not be men and women without hearts. Let's be people of virtue.

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If you have been listening and you feel something stirring inside, maybe you realize your heart has grown numb. Maybe you know the good but have not loved it. Maybe you have been living on the surface when you were made for something deeper. I want you to know you are not beyond restoration. Jesus did not just come to save you from sin. He came to make you new, to give you a new heart, a new spirit, a new way to live. You do not need to perform. You do not need to fix yourself.

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First, you need to surrender. So right now, if you are ready to take that step whether it is your first time trusting in Christ or you are returning after a long season away I invite you to pray with me. Lord Jesus, I know I have gone through the motions. I have known what is good but have not always loved it. I have let distraction shape me more than your word. But today I surrender. I ask you to give me a new heart, one that loves what is holy and good and true. I believe you died for my sins and rose again, and I want to walk with you fully alive, fully formed. Rebuild me from the inside out, shape my thoughts, my desires, my actions, make me more like you In Jesus' name, amen.

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If you just prayed that prayer, welcome home. You have just taken the first step toward becoming a person of depth of virtue, of real Christ-shaped strength, and you are not walking this road alone. We would love to come alongside you. Reach out anytime at thecrossroadslt, at gmailcom. We would love to pray with you, encourage you and help you find community. Thank you so much for joining me on this journey through the Compass Chronicles. Until next time, stay grounded, stay growing and keep seeking the one who forms us from the inside out. Grace and peace to you, you.

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Javier Malave

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