RUTH’S LONG ROAD TO LOVE Celebrating 140 years of Hope
In this issue May 2026
WHAT IN THE WORLD 04 WHY YOUR VOCATION MATTERS 06 It’s not about what you do—it’s about why you do it.
GOD’S UNFINISHED BUSINESS 12 He’s not done with you yet.
WRITE TO SOMEONE YOU’RE GRATEFUL FOR 18 Gratitude is good for you.
HAPPY GENTLE MOTHER’S DAY 20 For some mums, it’s not happy.
RUTH’S LONG ROAD TO LOVE
She looked in all the wrong places— but love found her anyway.
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HOW WE’RE BECOMING COGS IN THE MACHINE 26 How AI is unmaking humanity—and how to resist.
WHEN ONLINE CHATS TURN DANGEROUS 42 Look out for the warning signs.
BREATHING AGAIN 52 How these women are finding new life.
THE LEPER KING 54 Baldwin IV struggled his entire short life—but accomplished what many of his contemporaries couldn’t.
BUILD A CAPSULE PANTRY 60 Never get caught short again.
WHAT HARRY HOUDINI AND SCOOBY-DOO HAVE IN COMMON
SUDOKU AND CROSSWORD PUZZLE 62
Spooky séances.
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When life hits hard While putting this issue together, some hard realities hit home for me. Within weeks, one friend was given two months to live. Another’s father passed away from Alzheimer’s. A couple decided to divorce. Someone else lost their job. One received yet another negative pregnancy test. Life is hard. Even if you were raised by good parents, have never gone hungry or been homeless, never endured brutality or war—none of us are shielded in the end from sickness, loneliness, failure or grief. As we approach Mother’s Day, we celebrate with gratitude—but we do so gently. Jennifer reminds us that for many, mothering has gone painfully wrong (p20). Ruth shares her story of abuse, addiction and abandonment (p32). And Jacob reflects on what ScoobyDoo and Harry Houdini taught him about facing life honestly (p46). Wellness gurus and online influencers often tell us to “find our bliss” and “live our best lives”, while people of faith can be tempted to explain suffering away with easy answers. Yet, as author Pete Greig writes, real hope begins when we accept that life is not a five-star hotel. In these pages, you’ll encounter people who have walked hard roads and discovered a God who doesn’t magically fix everything, but who is “near to the brokenhearted” and “breathes life into weary souls” (p52). Greig adds, “I am learning to be a bit more okay with not being okay. Life sometimes hurts, but I’ve discovered that deleting God from the equation doesn’t actually help. It merely removes all meaning and morality from the mess and all real hope from the future.” This month, let us remember that living well is not the same as being happy. Sometimes it simply means facing life as it is and remembering we are not alone. ZANITA FLETCHER Assistant Editor
VOL 140 NO 4
ISSN 1038-9733 EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER Brad Kemp EDITOR Jarrod Stackelroth ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jesse Herford ASSISTANT EDITOR Zanita Fletcher COPYEDITORS Jarrod Stackelroth Melody Tan Tracey Bridcutt GRAPHIC DESIGN Theodora Pau’u Talia Valderrama PHONE +61 2 9847 2222 EMAIL info@signsmag.com WEBSITE signsmag.com ADDRESS Adventist Media PO Box 1115, Wahroonga New South Wales 2076 SUBSCRIPTIONS Kelli Geelan PHONE +61 3 5965 6300 Australia/New Zealand, $A28/$NZ30; South Pacific countries, $A41; Other countries $A51 Published since 1886, Signs of the Times is printed 11 times a year by the Seventh-day Adventist Church and is registered as a periodical. Seventh-day Adventist Church (SPD) Limited ABN 59 093 117 689 NOTE The inclusion of a person or their image within does not imply their endorsement of the Seventh-day Adventist Church or its beliefs. Unless otherwise stated, Bible verses are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, Anglicised. Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc®. Used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton. All rights reserved worldwide. COVER IMAGE: Talia Valderrama
WHAT IN THE WORLD Gen Z embracing spirituality AUSTRALIA
A new study has found that 38 per cent of Gen Z Australians identify as spiritual, with many hold beliefs drawn from Indigenous, Buddhist, Hindu and eco-spiritualities. 22 per cent identified as “spiritual, but not religious”, and 16 per cent identified as both “spiritual and religious”. It also highlighted an increase in “conspirituality”—conspiracy theories with spiritual messaging—as well as the lucrative wellness influencer economy.–The Conversation
The “benevolence bump” A surge in everyday kindness that began during the Covid-19 pandemic is proving more durable than many researchers expected. According to the 2025 World Happiness Report, acts of generosity such as donating money, volunteering and helping strangers remain around 10 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels, even several years after the global crisis. Researchers say the pandemic may have helped people recognise how much others depend on their help, creating lasting shifts in behaviour. Studies show that people often underestimate how kind strangers are, yet experiments—such as returning lost wallets—found people were far more likely to return them than expected. Experts say that when people experience generosity, they are more likely to pass it on to others.—The Guardian 4
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ANDREJ LISAKOV, ANDREA TUMMONS, ANISSA TERRY-UNSPLASH
WORLD
Pacific ministers sustain rural Aussie churches AUSTRALIA
Ministers from Pacific Island nations are helping struggling rural churches. In north Queensland and other regional communities, clergy from countries such as the Solomon Islands and the Philippines have stepped in to lead congregations facing clergy shortages. Their ministry often serves both local Australians and seasonal Pacific workers, with churches becoming hubs for
worship, community support and cultural connection. “Together they make up half of my full-time workforce in the diocese,” said Anglican bishop Keith Joseph. Reverend Jeffrey Akoai serves St Paul’s Anglican Church at Proserpine in the Whitsundays. In addition to regular mass, he also leads a monthly Melanesian service for seasonal workers. “It’s like we’re creating a home, a safe space away from home, that they are free to come and share whatever challenges they are going through,” he said.—ABC News
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FELLIPE DITADI-UNSPLASH
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Why your vocation matters Jesus’ life shows us that who we are matters far more than what we do—and that God can use us in any profession. BRIANNA WATSON
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