When questioned by police in 1974 as to his reason for walking a tightrope from one tower of the New York Trade Center to the other, Philippe Petit responded, “If I see three oranges, I have to juggle. And if I see two towers, I have to walk.”

The charges of trespassing and disorderly conduct were dropped in exchange for Petit’s promise to perform his aerial feats for children in Central Park. Prior to his NYC stunt, Petit had tightroped the towers of Notre Dame in 1971 and the Sydney Harbor Bridge in 1973.

Petit’s words have a strange beauty. He found purpose. And he was unashamed.

I’m not an advocate for breaking laws, but I do think highly of living with purpose. Maybe you perform aerial feats or car repairs. Maybe you’re a loan officer or kindergarten teacher.

I think even more highly of living with principled purpose. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

When I see the goodness of God, I have to seek first his kingdom.