When We Are Out of Focus
May 2026
Dear Friends,
"The great malady of the 21st century, implicated in all of our troubles and affecting us individually and socially, is 'loss of soul.' When the soul is neglected, it doesn't just go away; it appears symptomatically in obsessions, addictions, violence, and loss of meaning." — Dr. Thomas Moore, Care of the Soul
After over 40 years of meeting and listening to thousands of people, I can see Dr. Moore’s point. We are a society that often neglects our souls—searching through intellectual stimulation, materialism, relationships, and frenetic activities in the vain hope of finding that which only the spiritual life can satisfy.
I think we somehow intuitively and instinctively know this. St. Augustine believed all humans have a God-shaped vacuum that only God can fill. He said, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in You.”
Two questions we are often asked about City in Focus are:
1. “What does the name City in Focus mean?” If we look at life without our faith, without Christ—our health, our careers, our decisions, and our relationships—the world is blurry. It is as if our lens is dirty and we can’t see anything clearly. But, if Jesus is with us and we look at the world through His eyes, it suddenly becomes clear who we are, who He is, and what we need to do for the world. City in Focus helps people get their lives and world into focus.
2. Why is City in Focus’ mission statement “We care for the soul of the city”? We believe that the soul is the core of a person and influences all of their decisions. The truth is—no book, drug, person, money, success, or relationship can address the void. Nothing except God can speak to our deepest issues and needs.
Our souls are not so much lost as neglected. It is never too late in life to nurture our soul and deepen our connection to God. I would argue real life does not begin until we do!
"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation." — Psalm 62:5-6
Blessings,
Tom Cooper