The real test of our love is what happens if it is not returned in kind. Christly love doesn't wither or grow into hate; it searches the heart and fosters healing.
The writer was dissatisfied with his job, the city he lived in, and the opportunities before him. Picking up and moving on seemed his only alternative until he saw his life and surroundings from a more Christly perspective.
Some people explore the occult because they're curious; others hope it will give them greater control over their lives. Whatever its attraction, shouldn't we be asking how darkness could possibly lead to more light?