Some people struggle to understand why they are living. They may want to know if there is a higher being who produced their life or what their creator intended for them. Other people may just want to know how they fit in with their ecosystem, whether the global community or just within their household. I have always felt that I understood what my strengths are and how I could apply them to my varying situations (not really always , but most of the time.) I am organized and creative, I have the ability to lead or follow, and I enjoy improving things as I go. In school it meant I quietly performed well: my purpose was to get good grades. In India my purpose was to help others come unto Christ. At BYU my purpose was to become well qualified for the work force and get married. As a husband and father my purpose is to provide and build family relationships. I am grateful for the confidence and direction having purpose gives me. Much of that understanding has come from my parents and religio...
It took a long time for me to realize that I wasn't special or unique; At least, that many of my thoughts, behaviors, temptations, and failures weren't unique. Additionally, they weren't unique for my age, demographic, religion, or any other category. I already knew that I made far more mistakes than I wanted but somewhere in my late twenties I started to realize that regardless of appearances, social media posts, and testimonies that everyone else was struggling with failures as well. People do an excellent job wearing their masks and appearing put together. Ultimately though, everyone is constantly at war with the person they appear and the struggles they face in reality. Whether or not others use it, repentance is a blessing to me. It helps me strive to be better and receive strength to try again after my failures crush my hope. Growing up it seemed a rare occasion when someone would admit they had repented. We were taught in church to do it, but all of the examples see...