Just Cruisin'

“I hate you,” isn’t something people like to hear. That being said, can you find another response when I tell you about the places I get to visit in my line of work?

I’m predicting you might be tempted to utter those same words as you read what I’m about to write, which is okay as long as you keep reading.

I was invited to give a couple of talks on a cruise ship to the Bahamas a couple of weeks ago. It’s okay, you can hate me, I probably deserve it. I mean…it isn’t fair, just promise me your hate will subside by Christmas or the next time your affection is needed to lavish me with gifts.

Maybe this will help stifle the animosity.

I boarded an American Airlines red eye flight to Miami on Friday at the ungodly hour of 12:10 am (Pacific Standard Time). That flight landed in Dallas, Texas at 5:20 am (Central Time) where I boarded my next flight to Miami. If the fact that I flew American doesn’t stifle your anger than maybe the fact that I landed at 9:30am (Eastern Time) will? Let me translate: I didn’t sleep, not a wink. So I was a dead man walking for the rest of the day and the first half of day one on the cruise ship.

Feel better yet?

Well, let me tell you what type of gig would bring me on a cruise ship to talk. It was a conference for singles. Yes, you read correctly. I was with a gang of my non-ring carrying brethren for a few days. We took our empty ring fingers and set sail to the beautiful white sands and crystal clear waters of the Bahamas, some searching for love while others searched for the karaoke mic.

During our conference time, I was able to share from the Scriptures and enjoy the smooth melodies of a very talented recording artist, Eric Lopez. Every night we would gather, sing songs, and I would give a talk from the Biblical narrative of Joseph. It was my first time speaking on water, I’m working my way to the whole walking on water thing. I’m hoping to have that down by the next cruise.

Our three nights together were truly amazing, not because anyone found romance or “the one,” but, because we found each other. Even though our romantic lives were as dry as the Sahara in the middle of summer, that didn’t stop us from having a blast on this cruise to paradise. I was the speaker who was “working,” but in all honesty, I was also there as a single man, who also longed for love and intimacy.

There was something about being with a group of people who shared in the struggle. Who knew what it felt like to wonder, “will I ever experience true love?” “Is there someone out there for me?” “Should I settle?” “Is it really worth the wait?” “Can someone please hook me up with Rachel McAdams?” You know, some of the more grueling desires of the unmarried heart.

For the next three days, we enjoyed community. We were a group of individuals bonded by common desires, struggles, and passions. It’s amazing what can happen when you lose sight of what isn’t to enjoy the beauty of what is.

Many people get caught up on the places I go, I’m more moved by the people I meet. So thank you, to the gang of great individuals I met on my first gig on the ocean.