Edited by Jim McCrory, Friday, 25 July 2025, 14:57
'And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him'
Romans 8:28
A newfound friend asked my wife and I in a gentle voice, “What is your purpose in life?”
The question lingered in the sort of me, and I found myself drifting back to the tender years when my children were small. I had made it a priority to teach them a few simple, enduring truths, none more important than the words of Jesus in Luke 10:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself.”
These are not just words to memorize. They are the essence of what it means to be human. They speak of a divine pattern etched into our being, a way of living that opens the door to joy; not only now, but in whatever life awaits us beyond this one. After all, to live in that future paradise that Jesus promised, Jesus words would be fundamental to peace and happiness.
We look around and shake our heads at the state of the world. We grow weary and carry many mental scars inflicted by humans who have no interest in human kindness. Cruelty is everywhere and goodness is vanishing. But if we see the world growing darker, then we have more reason to hold out the candle to humankind and show them a better way, however small it may seem. Even one flame is enough to draw the eye in a pitch-black room.
Life has a way of throwing us curve balls. We sit alone with our thoughts, wondering how things unravelled, how we got lost in the confusion of it all. In those moments, the words of Psalm 32:2 come alive: “How happy are those who no longer lie—to themselves or to others.”
There is such quiet power in that verse. Sometimes the lie is not loud. Sometimes it whispers. It tells us we are fine when we are not. It hardens our hearts with blame and justifications. It allows us to go on hurting, deceiving, closing off. It convinces us that forgiveness is weakness and that resentment is strength and you rejoice in rallying the support of others. But when you drift away from the noise, refrain from stroking your mobile and withdrawing from social media and the noise of humankind. Reflect in a quiet place, sit in stillness, and look inward, we often discover that our unhappiness is not just circumstantial. It runs deeper. It’s the ache of disconnection—from God, from others, and even from our truest selves. We were made for love, and when we drift from that purpose, we begin to slowly unravel.
To love with our whole being is the highest calling we have. It is not sentimental. It is costly. It asks something of us, our time, our attention, our honesty, our humility. Yet it also gives us something in return. It brings us home. It restores our dignity. It lights up the path ahead.
This is not idealism. It is reality, the kind that touches the soul and refuses to let go. To love God, and to love others as we love ourselves, is not simply good advice. It is the map back to life. It is the only way forward, no matter how lost we feel.
So, if you find yourself in a dark place, ask again: What is my purpose? Then listen, not for noise, but for truth. There is a quiet answer waiting, and it has never changed.
Image generated with the assistance of Microsoft Copilot
Find Your True Ikigai
'And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him'
Romans 8:28
A newfound friend asked my wife and I in a gentle voice, “What is your purpose in life?”
The question lingered in the sort of me, and I found myself drifting back to the tender years when my children were small. I had made it a priority to teach them a few simple, enduring truths, none more important than the words of Jesus in Luke 10:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself.”
These are not just words to memorize. They are the essence of what it means to be human. They speak of a divine pattern etched into our being, a way of living that opens the door to joy; not only now, but in whatever life awaits us beyond this one. After all, to live in that future paradise that Jesus promised, Jesus words would be fundamental to peace and happiness.
We look around and shake our heads at the state of the world. We grow weary and carry many mental scars inflicted by humans who have no interest in human kindness. Cruelty is everywhere and goodness is vanishing. But if we see the world growing darker, then we have more reason to hold out the candle to humankind and show them a better way, however small it may seem. Even one flame is enough to draw the eye in a pitch-black room.
Life has a way of throwing us curve balls. We sit alone with our thoughts, wondering how things unravelled, how we got lost in the confusion of it all. In those moments, the words of Psalm 32:2 come alive: “How happy are those who no longer lie—to themselves or to others.”
There is such quiet power in that verse. Sometimes the lie is not loud. Sometimes it whispers. It tells us we are fine when we are not. It hardens our hearts with blame and justifications. It allows us to go on hurting, deceiving, closing off. It convinces us that forgiveness is weakness and that resentment is strength and you rejoice in rallying the support of others. But when you drift away from the noise, refrain from stroking your mobile and withdrawing from social media and the noise of humankind. Reflect in a quiet place, sit in stillness, and look inward, we often discover that our unhappiness is not just circumstantial. It runs deeper. It’s the ache of disconnection—from God, from others, and even from our truest selves. We were made for love, and when we drift from that purpose, we begin to slowly unravel.
To love with our whole being is the highest calling we have. It is not sentimental. It is costly. It asks something of us, our time, our attention, our honesty, our humility. Yet it also gives us something in return. It brings us home. It restores our dignity. It lights up the path ahead.
This is not idealism. It is reality, the kind that touches the soul and refuses to let go. To love God, and to love others as we love ourselves, is not simply good advice. It is the map back to life. It is the only way forward, no matter how lost we feel.
So, if you find yourself in a dark place, ask again: What is my purpose? Then listen, not for noise, but for truth. There is a quiet answer waiting, and it has never changed.
Image generated with the assistance of Microsoft Copilot