Indeed, in the present climate of mistrust of institutions, many people who yearn for a more meaningful and fulfilling life would regard the church as an unlikely place to go for guidance.

Reading is a huge effort for many people, a bore for others, and, believe it or not, many people prefer watching TV.

But the rule seems to be that the bigger and more life-changing the decision, the less it will seem like a decision at all.

Perhaps it's the people whose lives have taken sudden new twists - people who have learned to embrace the creative possibilities of change - who stand the best chance of penetrating life's mysteries.

Nothing is perfect. Life is messy. Relationships are complex. Outcomes are uncertain. People are irrational.

Actually, I can't imagine anything more tedious than a perfect person, especially if it was someone who also demanded perfection from me.