“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” – Proverbs 16:9
A slick, treacherous pool deck glistened underfoot as I delivered the morning room service—a ritual our feral cats expected, perhaps even demand.
The overcast skies hung low, draped with a suffocating fog that twisted the air into something sinister. The black cats with their piercing yellow eyes prowled like an army of dark sentinels, their gazes cutting through the mist. They moved as one, a shadowy legion conjuring whispers of forgotten rituals and unspoken curses.
Children of the Corn had nothing on these creatures; their presence was a macabre warning etched into the morning’s gloom, each pawstep a silent herald of something unspeakable.
In 1988, I was at a writer’s conference with the late Dr. Calvin Miller. He shared with me that writer fail to take advantage of the opportunities they have to work on their craft.
He said, “You might write a regular column for your church newsletter or book club. Why not give them your best writing and develop your craft simultaneously?”
I thought of him this morning as I wrote a caption for a picture I took as I began my morning cat feeding.
A crisp 55 degrees and a gentle breeze whisper through the morning air as the shaded patio of my favorite Starbucks becomes my open-air office.
My steaming coffee sits beside me, inviting and warm, as I let go of life’s challenges and let the narrative nonfiction piece I’m working on flow from my mind to the page.
If you’re a writer, where do you write?
It’s “time change” Sunday. Last night we moved the clocks back one hour. For most people, that’s a big deal.
Moving clocks forward and back for time changes have become routine because of my travel. On my trip to the British Isles, France, Portugal, and then returning to the United States via a transatlantic cruise, I changed time zones eight times.
Last fall when I did a transpacific cruise I crossed sixteen time zones. The trip was from Dallas, Texas, USA to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Yes, I’m fortunate to travel. An interesting lesson learned was God was always with me. I could read His word and pray to Him in Scotland or Paris as easily as I could in Tahiti or New Zealand. I could be still wherever I was and know He is God.
In the Bible, we read in Psalms 124:1 King James Version, “Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” It reminds me that my God is all powerful. He keeps watch over His chosen nation of Israel. And, He never sleeps or slumbers. He’s always there for them and He is always available anywhere for me, regardless of which time zone I’m in.
It’s Friday, the first day of November 2024. The morning feels fresh with newness, yet familiar, like stepping into a well-worn path. I was up by 6 AM, my mind already spinning with the day ahead. The last week of September plus October was a time of world travel and letting my beard grow wild. This morning I trimmed it down to a goatee. It feels like a small reset. I’m tidying up as I face the start of another month.
By 7:15, I had settled at my local Starbucks, holding a glass of water in one hand for my morning medications and a tall blonde roast coffee in the other. The aroma of coffee grounds and the gentle hum of morning chatter created a comforting backdrop as I settled in with my thoughts.
After opening my MacBook, I began listening to The Beatles’ “Nowhere Man,” as I do from time to time. You may be wondering why I decided on this song and why it holds such significance for me. During my recent travels I was in Liverpool England in September. I did The Beatles tour. The tour had me thinking on John Lennon’s life.
1n 1965 John Lennon wrote “Nowhere Man”. He was in a period of intense introspection. He was famous, admired, wealthy—by all standards — a man who had “made it.” Yet, amid this success, he questioned his identity and purpose. The song captures his struggle, expressing the unsettling feeling of being adrift despite outward achievements.
For Lennon, fame wasn’t enough; something deeper was missing. In “Nowhere Man,” he reveals the ache of feeling detached, disconnected, and, perhaps, unanchored—a feeling that resonates worldwide. We’ve all had moments where we feel like we’re going through the motions, searching for something elusive that might give life meaning.
Listening to the song reminds me to be cautious, to resist letting life slip into routine without intentional purpose. Lennon’s story is a reminder: he had all the outward markers of success, yet something remained unfulfilled. I don’t want to end up like that. I appreciate his influence on music, culture, and activism, yet I perceive a longing for something more in him. For me, that “something” is purpose—a sense of direction that grounds me.
This idea of purpose brings me back to a time in my life that shaped my outlook. When I was in the tenth grade, my church youth group performed a Christian musical called “Purpose,” written by Jimmy and Carol Owens. Aimed at young people, it explored themes of faith, self-identity, and finding meaning. The storyline followed a group of young people wrestling with their beliefs and discovering their purpose within their Christian faith.
The musical’s message was uncomplicated yet meaningful: our purpose transcends the surface, rooted in a significance. It struck a chord, especially during a period of cultural turmoil and societal transformation. The musical encouraged us, a young audience, to lean into our faith, to look beyond societal expectations, and to find our purpose in something lasting.
Reflecting on that experience now, decades later, I see how it helped to solidify my foundation. For me, faith in Jesus Christ gives life meaning beyond the ebb and flow of external achievements or challenges. I base my purpose not on fame or wealth, but on living in alignment with my faith and values. And so, on this November morning, as I sip my coffee and listen to Lennon’s haunting lyrics, I’m reminded of that grounding truth.
Purpose is something we all seek. It’s what keeps us going, even when the path ahead seems unclear. So, I’ll ask you: do you know your purpose?
Through faith in Christ, I believe I’ve found mine. And it’s a purpose I hold close, reminding me of what matters, even as the world around me changes.
You can find my story of finding purpose here. It is how I became a Christian. Click HERE for my story.
