In this information-saturated age, knowledge about everything from peak nutrition to which brands produce ethically sourced clothing is readily available. In fact, we don’t even have to go looking for it. The media we consume is full of content that tells us what to eat, where to shop, and who to trust.

For most of us, though, there’s a gap between what we learn and what we do. We know that snack will leave us feeling sluggish, but we eat it anyway. We’ve read the studies that show how anxiety-inducing social media can be, but we still turn to our phones as a form of escape in moments of stress.

If only knowing what’s right meant we did what’s right.

When it comes to faith, Marlena Graves writes that “many of us believe that if we think about the truth, theologize about it, and talk about it, we are doing God’s will.” But, she explains, our rational understanding of God’s will isn’t what shapes our beings. The actions we take are what form us into who we are—and the way we treat people when no one else is there to praise our efforts is the real test of our love for God.

This side of eternity, the space between our intentions and actions will always have a bit of a gap. But by choosing acts of selfless love, we can begin to find greater harmony within ourselves and our relationships with both God and others.