Purpose with Tom Rosenak

13 Jul 2025 · 3 min

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2:45

In this interview segment, Tom Rosenak and Speaker A explore the tension between wanting to act and feeling stuck, describing it as a "paralyzing dynamic" that can be mitigated by identifying and expressing the underlying impulse. They discuss the idea that a meaningful mission does not require fame; leading even a single person toward a better life is valuable, echoing the "Acres of Diamonds" metaphor. When asked about a one‑day‑left scenario, Speaker A says they would like to have “run the good race” and see God’s will fulfilled, referencing the Apostle Paul. The conversation shifts to societal habits of reacting to constant news, with Tom sharing his decision to stop news consumption to reduce distraction. Speaker A connects this to the Serenity Prayer and recounts a personal experiment during Lent: a digital fast that limited YouTube and other electronic engagement to foster quiet time, noting the difficulty and restlessness it produced. The dialogue blends personal anecdote, spiritual references, and practical suggestions for intentional living.

Chapters

And both of those are opposite end of the same paralyzing dynamic. I can't, I have to, I want to, but I don't want to. And so what we're saying is identify it and express it in the smallest way possible and trust that it will impact the world. Wow. At least this section, your Acres of Diamonds.
Yes.
And someone else might not know about it. You might not be famous like John Maxwell, but if you can lead one person to a better life, that's a good mission because that one person wandering in circles till they met you.
That is powerful. So along those lines then, uh, if you had one and only one day to live, what would you have liked your final contribution to be?
I would like to, uh, echo Paul, which is to say, I've run the good race, and it includes all of the junk, but it transcends it. And, um, you know, just to say, thy will be done.
Wow, that is powerful. That is powerful. I think as a nation, we need to spend more time reflecting instead of just reacting all the time. One thing I started doing after maybe the end of this year is to stop listening to the news because it kept driving me crazy. Every day there was something happening that was just bonkers. But it's like we get so distracted I guess, charged.
And, uh, uh, it brings you back to the Serenity Prayer, doesn't it?
Yes, yes.
You're listening to the news and you can't do anything about most of it, and it numbs you to what you can do. Here's a recommendation I have, and I'm going to admit a failure, but if enough people are willing to do it, in Lent I tried to do a digital fast. And what that was is it didn't mean don't check email or don't use any electronics, that it meant YouTube videos, even inspiring ones, and less connecting electronically and more quiet time. And I'm telling you, I was restless. Wow. I was really, really restless.
That is quite powerful, having time to reflect and focus on your mission, your purpose. Okay. We are almost toward the end. The 7th segment was, you've added so much value to us, to my audience. How can we add value back to you?