The Wonder and Power of True Riches

A 13th-century Afghan poet and author, Elif Shafak, described 40 rules of love. Rule 4 is as follows: “Intellect and love are made of different materials. Intellect ties people in knots and risks nothing, but love dissolves all tangles and risks everything. Intellect is always cautious and advises, ‘Beware too much ecstasy,’ whereas love says, ‘Oh, never mind! Take the plunge!’ Intellect does not easily break down, whereas love can effortlessly reduce itself to rubble. But treasures are hidden among ruins. A broken heart hides treasures.’” Here, Elif is clearly contrasting what is of true value and where our priorities are placed. Physicist Albert Einstein, in a letter to his daughter, said that love is the most unifying force in the universe, and he expressed the hope that people will make the appropriate shift from self-centredness to others-centredness.

In The Wonder and Power of True Riches, I am encouraging a shift from the materialistic to the immaterial. My deepest hope is that people will see for themselves that life can be transformed and celebrated if they are on the right path. If you asked me what defines me, I would say the following: I am a follower (learner) of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am a friend to all peoples, particularly the First Nations peoples. I am a father of five children and a grandfather of eight grandchildren. I am a priest (bridge builder) and a carpenter. I strive to live in harmony with Creation. I am prophetic and an author.