A Day of Exhaustion and Quiet Purpose

By Ivory waki / Solvoice
Today was one of those days that leaves you physically drained, yet deeply fulfilled in a way that words can barely capture. We had a retreat with ACOM PHQ at TNK—a place of quiet beauty, owned by the sisters of the Anglican Church of Melanesia. The setting itself felt like a gentle invitation to pause, reflect, and realign. Even though the retreat came on short notice, it carried a clear purpose: to review ACOM’s workplace conduct. What could have been just another formal discussion turned into something more meaningful. There was a sense of sincerity in the conversations, and by the end of it, the outcome felt both successful and necessary. Looking back, the past few weeks have been full. We hosted visitors from New Zealand—members of ACOM’s management board—which added another layer of responsibility and expectation. I had submitted a report from my division and quietly assumed that would be enough, that perhaps my role in that space was minimal. But today reminded me that sometimes...
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Marked by Ashes, Grounded by Purpose

By Ivory waki / Solvoice


This week has carried both weight and grace.

Today, I finally handed the contractor a formal resolution regarding the issues surrounding the JCPU project. It was not an easy process. Leadership rarely is. Decisions come with scrutiny, emotions, and responsibility. Yet, sometimes standing firm is part of the calling.

Yesterday marked Ash Wednesday in the calendar of the Anglican Church of Melanesia. We officially closed work at 3PM to prepare for evening prayer. As the sun lowered, so did our hearts.

One by one, the congregation lined up. The priest dipped his thumb into charcoal ashes and traced a cross upon each forehead.

“You are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

In that moment, titles disappeared. Positions disappeared. Conflicts disappeared. All that remained was the quiet truth of our humanity.

The beginning of Lent is not just a ritual — it is an invitation. An invitation to fast. To humble ourselves. To detach from pride. To remember that everything we build, fight for, defend, and achieve in this world is temporary.

The ashes are a reminder:
We came from dust.
We will return to dust.

What matters in between is the condition of our soul.

This week taught me something deeply personal — that spiritual discipline is greater than professional success. That integrity before God outweighs approval before men. That leadership without humility is empty.

In the middle of project disputes and institutional challenges, I was marked with ashes — and reminded that I am mortal.

And strangely, that reminder did not weaken me.
It grounded me.

If you like reading, also read standing firm when leadership is tested. https://solvoice.blogspot.com/2026/02/standing-firm-when-leadership-is-tested.html?m=1

💬Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below.👇




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