Confessions of a Wandering Soul

By Alonzo L. McDonald
(2001)

Not typically autobiographical, these “confessions” reveal the shaping of a soul and God’s active presence in our lives.

When you look back on your life, what do you see? For many in this age of modern accomplishments and humanist thought, their lives have been ones of their own making—they are “masters of their fates, captains of their souls.” Life has been only what they have made of it—good and bad, success and failure. Senior Fellow Alonzo McDonald, however, sees his life differently—a rich and varied journey guided by God’s own hand.

In the Winter 2001 Reading, McDonald tells his story, his “Confessions of a Wandering Soul.” By any standards McDonald has led an interesting and successful life, with five decades in media, business, academia and government. But now in retrospect, he recognizes the “Guiding Hand of the Creator,” seeing how God has protected and directed his life, though allowing his choices. Distinctly molded by the Depression South yet rebelling against the faith of his family, McDonald pursued—and achieved—money, recognition and power. But at the height of his professional success, he began his own faith journey that has given true meaning to his life, redefining his character, relationships and pursuits.

We look forward with hope but we look back with understanding. Søren Kierkegaard

Category: Readings (No. 30)