St. Paul’s encouraging words to the Thessalonians (1 Thess 3:7-14) remind us that God directs our ways toward Himself and calls us to “increase and abound in love for one another.” This prayer of St. Paul echoes St. Augustine’s timeless truth, saying that our hearts remain restless until they rest in God, the source and fulfillment of our deepest desires. In light of that understanding, we could say that every achievement we pursue in life loses meaning if God is absent from it, because true accomplishment flows from His presence and grace.
On this celebration of the memorial of St. Augustine, therefore, we must keep in mind that if we wish to grow, transform, and reach our goals, we must anchor ourselves in God’s guidance because surrendering to Him does not weaken our drive but strengthens it, giving us the peace and clarity needed to move forward. Again, when God becomes the center of our striving, our efforts have lasting value and our lives bear fruit not only for ourselves but also for the good of our community.
