Examining the Scholar’s Motive

November 09, 2026•1 min read

“Before pursuing a powerful answer, ask what desire is choosing the question.”

Scrolls of Reflection 3:22 (Courage)

As Aiko studies a prophecy, she becomes aware of the responsibility attached to pursuing its promise. She also remembers warnings about pride and ambition, and recognizes the need to examine her own motives before proceeding.

The desire to help can become tangled with the desire to be indispensable. A striking discovery or important role may appeal to both at once. Examining that mixture requires honesty, especially when the task appears urgent. This scene invites readers to ask how an answer is being pursued and whose good remains at the center of the effort.

Before taking ownership of a consequential project, identify what success would mean for the people it is meant to serve. Consider whether you would welcome a better answer from someone else.

Reflection question: What motive needs examination before you pursue your next important goal?

Discover The Trials of Courage, Book Three of The Chronicles of the Sacred Kingdom by D. Scott Lofthouse.

D.Scott Lofthouse

D. Scott Lofthouse has lived a life defined by service — as a law enforcement officer, military veteran, educator, and author. His journey from the streets of Anchorage to the quiet mountains of Utah reflects both discipline and faith, courage and reflection. He began his career in 1986 with the U.S. Air Force, serving in Belgium, Guam, and Alaska as a Law Enforcement Specialist and Investigator before joining the Anchorage Police Department in 1993. Over the next two decades, he became Alaska’s foremost authority on gang intelligence, serving as the primary Gang Intelligence Officer for the state and working closely with the FBI Safe Streets Task Force. His professionalism and leadership earned numerous commendations, including multiple Chief’s Letters of Recognition and a Mayor’s Certificate of Appreciation. A natural teacher, D. Scott also served as an adjunct professor of criminal justice at Charter College and lectured on gang investigations, leadership, and internet safety across the country. His years of service instilled in him a deep understanding of humanity’s dual nature — the constant tension between darkness and light — a theme that lies at the heart of his writing. Now retired from law enforcement, D. Scott lives in Utah, where he continues to write and teach. His fantasy series, The Chronicles of the Sacred Kingdom, beginning with The Trials of Unity, explores the moral and spiritual dimensions of courage, leadership, and redemption. A devoted father and grandfather, he draws daily inspiration from family, faith, and the quiet majesty of the mountains that surround him.

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