--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We don't accidentally drift into…" description: "\"We don't accidentally drift into holiness; rather we mature gradually and purposefully, one choice at a time.\" — C. J. Mahaney" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/804/c-j-mahaney-18178_choices_we-don-t-accidentally-drift-into-holines_2678906.jpg" --- # We don't accidentally drift into holiness; rather we… ![“We don't accidentally drift into holiness; rather we mature gradually and purposefully, one choice at a time.” quote by C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/804/c-j-mahaney-18178_choices_we-don-t-accidentally-drift-into-holines_2678906.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/804/c-j-mahaney-18178_choices_we-don-t-accidentally-drift-into-holines_2678906.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/804/c-j-mahaney-18178_choices_we-don-t-accidentally-drift-into-holines_2678906.jpg) > “We don't accidentally drift into holiness; rather we mature gradually and purposefully, one choice at a time.” [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Holiness is achieved through deliberate, purposeful choices, not accidental drift. **In simple terms:** Holiness requires intentional choices. Key Takeaway Make purposeful decisions. Themes spirituality growth intentionality Mood inspirational serious Type spiritual motivational When to use this quote - daily habits - faith practice - personal development - community life Key Concepts theology ethics Questions to Reflect On - What small choices build your character? - How do you stay intentional daily? A Different Perspective Intentionality can be exhausting. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Holiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holiness/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“Above all, trust in the slow work of God. We are quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay. 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When a habit is changing very gradually, we may lose interest,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/sometimes-counter-intuitively-it-s-easier-to-make-a-major-change-than/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [Revolution is not a dinner party, not an essay, nor a painting, nor a piece of embroidery; it cannot be advanced softly, gradually, carefully,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/revolution-is-not-a-dinner-party-not-an-essay-nor-a-painting-nor-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Which is why, in my lieder concerts, I always strove, when possible, to sing only the works of a single composer, so that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-fischer-dieskau/which-is-why-in-my-lieder-concerts-i-always-strove-when-possible-to/) [Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-fischer-dieskau/) > [The man who bears my name, and who claims to be me, was born on July 15, 1865, the sixth in a family of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-housman/the-man-who-bears-my-name-and-who-claims-to-be-me-was-born-on-july-15/) [Laurence Housman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-housman/) > [China and India's relationship is gradually developing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sushil-koirala/china-and-india-s-relationship-is-gradually-developing/) [Sushil Koirala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sushil-koirala/) > [Politics has come to resemble a cynical team game played by politicians, while the public has been pushed aside as if sitting on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edi-rama/politics-has-come-to-resemble-a-cynical-team-game-played-by/) [Edi Rama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edi-rama/) > [“The fact that my sexual awakening peripherally involves Steve Guttenberg I have gradually accepted.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-shteyngart/the-fact-that-my-sexual-awakening-peripherally-involves-steve/) [Gary Shteyngart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-shteyngart/) > [You think you have some stable talent that will show no matter what you're writing, and if it doesn't seem to be getting across…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/you-think-you-have-some-stable-talent-that-will-show-no-matter-what/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [When you get a typical injury, you're given a time frame; you're gradually working towards getting back. With concussions, there is not generally a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sidney-crosby/when-you-get-a-typical-injury-you-re-given-a-time-frame-you-re/) [Sidney Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sidney-crosby/) > [The thing that is cool about my come up is that I dealt with fame and having money gradually. It didn't happen overnight. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trey-songz/the-thing-that-is-cool-about-my-come-up-is-that-i-dealt-with-fame-and/) [Trey Songz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trey-songz/) > [God works powerfully, but for the most part gently and gradually.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/god-works-powerfully-but-for-the-most-part-gently-and-gradually/) [John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/) > [I don't think Cheney started off in 2000 with a burning desire to become vice-president. I think the prospect gradually became more appealing, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barton-gellman/i-don-t-think-cheney-started-off-in-2000-with-a-burning-desire-to/) [Barton Gellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barton-gellman/) > [“came upon me so gradually, so very pleasantly, that I considered myself especially blessed. You see, I was put in charge of brewing”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i-j-parker/came-upon-me-so-gradually-so-very-pleasantly-that-i-considered-myself/) I.J. Parker > [I'm what is known as gradually disintegrating. I don't fear the next world, or anything. I don't fear hell, and I don't look forward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katharine-hepburn/i-m-what-is-known-as-gradually-disintegrating-i-don-t-fear-the-next/) [Katharine Hepburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katharine-hepburn/) ## More by C. J. Mahaney > [If there's anything in life that we should be passionate about, it's the gospel. And I don't mean passionate only about sharing it with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/if-there-s-anything-in-life-that-we-should-be-passionate-about-it-s/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) > [What joy the gospel gives me! I can approach the throne of God with confidence-not because I've done a good job at my spiritual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/what-joy-the-gospel-gives-me-i-can-approach-the-throne-of-god-with/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) > [So make it your aim and lifelong habit, when you see someone who's serving, to be reminded of the sacrifice of the Savior, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/so-make-it-your-aim-and-lifelong-habit-when-you-see-someone-who-s/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) > [To learn true humility, we need more than a redefinition of greatness; we need even more than Jesus' personal example of humble service. What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/to-learn-true-humility-we-need-more-than-a-redefinition-of-greatness/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) > [All gifts from God are intended to direct our attention to God and create fresh affection for God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/all-gifts-from-god-are-intended-to-direct-our-attention-to-god-and/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) > [Apart from the cross, condemnation is normal. Without Jesus, we all deserve to be condemned and punished for sin. But here's the good news:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/apart-from-the-cross-condemnation-is-normal-without-jesus-we-all/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) > [Pastoral ministry is about an ongoing confrontation with the god of this world, with blindness, hardness of heart, remaining sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/pastoral-ministry-is-about-an-ongoing-confrontation-with-the-god-of/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) > [Pride takes innumerable forms but has only one end: self-glorification. That’s the motive and ultimate purpose of pride—to rob God of legitimate glory and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/pride-takes-innumerable-forms-but-has-only-one-end-self-glorification/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) > [It is true that I have been studying both humility and pride for many years for the purpose of weakening pride in my own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/it-is-true-that-i-have-been-studying-both-humility-and-pride-for-many/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) > [Modesty is humility expressed in dress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/modesty-is-humility-expressed-in-dress/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) > [We cannot free ourselves from pride and selfish ambition; a divine rescue is absolutely necessary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/we-cannot-free-ourselves-from-pride-and-selfish-ambition-a-divine/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) > [No matter the severity of suffering we experience in this life, it will always be less that what we have deserved for our sins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/no-matter-the-severity-of-suffering-we-experience-in-this-life-it/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) > [Endurance in ministry is rooted in the eternal perspective. The absence of an eternal perspective makes you vulnerable to losing heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/endurance-in-ministry-is-rooted-in-the-eternal-perspective-the/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) > [Your greatest need is not a spouse. Your greatest need is to be delivered from the wrath of God - and that has already…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/your-greatest-need-is-not-a-spouse-your-greatest-need-is-to-be/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) > [If you crossed Matthew Henry's path, you would quickly realize that here was someone taking thankful notice of all God was doing for him,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-mahaney/if-you-crossed-matthew-henry-s-path-you-would-quickly-realize-that/) [C. J. Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) [Explore all 35 C. J. Mahaney quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-mahaney/) ## More Choices quotes > [Of all the people who have affected my life and influenced the choices I've made, none has been more important than my father. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-atlas/of-all-the-people-who-have-affected-my-life-and-influenced-the/) [Teddy Atlas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-atlas/) > [“Don’t allow anyone to pressure you into taking a job in a field that doesn’t feel right in your gut. You are the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-james/don-t-allow-anyone-to-pressure-you-into-taking-a-job-in-a-field-that/) Alison James > [When you have a choice, choose happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pancho-barnes/when-you-have-a-choice-choose-happy/) Pancho Barnes > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Movies have power. Power to impact society and the choices we make. I want to entertain, but I also want to say something to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-prince-bythewood/movies-have-power-power-to-impact-society-and-the-choices-we-make-i/) [Gina Prince-Bythewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-prince-bythewood/) > [If you have a different mindset, you will have a different outcome: if you make different choices from your peers, your life will then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/if-you-have-a-different-mindset-you-will-have-a-different-outcome-if/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [Personally, I prefer contemporary films, but the market calls for more period choices, especially since China opened up a cinema market in Hong Kong.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/personally-i-prefer-contemporary-films-but-the-market-calls-for-more/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [Clarissa," he said, "here with the vampire, I see. When things have settled a bit, we really must discuss you choice in pets..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/clarissa-he-said-here-with-the-vampire-i-see-when-things-have-settled/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Change is inevitable but personal growth is a choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/change-is-inevitable-but-personal-growth-is-a-choice/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [If you choose to draw from the inner well of free will, then you can make choices that are outside your current karmic patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-choose-to-draw-from-the-inner-well-of-free-will-then-you-can/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Act always so as to increase the number of choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinz-von-foerster/act-always-so-as-to-increase-the-number-of-choices/) [Heinz von Foerster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinz-von-foerster/) > [Give me a platter of choice finnan haddie, freshly cooked in its bath of water and milk, add melted butter, a slice or two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-claiborne/give-me-a-platter-of-choice-finnan-haddie-freshly-cooked-in-its-bath/) [Craig Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-claiborne/) > [I don't know that any woman could ever not think about that at some point - even making the choice not to do it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-watts/i-don-t-know-that-any-woman-could-ever-not-think-about-that-at-some/) [Naomi Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-watts/) > [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) [Browse all 11,466 Choices quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We don't accidentally drift into holiness; rather we mature gradually and purposefully, one choice at a time.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "C. 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