Children Understand & Adults Never Outgrow
“The Bible and Traveling: 2 things, simple enough for a child to understand, yet can be explored all of adult life.”
That is a great piece of advice. Thank you, Tim Mackie from Bible Project!!
Traveling and the Bible have changed my entire life and view of life. What my life means and what other people's lives mean, and what the point of our life is.
If someone were to even ask me for a piece of advice for traveling, it would be: do not be the rich American who stays in a 5-star resort. Go to an Airbnb, or Riad, or whatever is local to the culture, and stay in it. (I’ll be honest, it really shows when people stay do a 5-star instead local stay).
Actually living in the culture and participating in it to a certain extent is what alters your view. Not sitting in a white tiled bathroom and waiting for room service of “local food”. It isn't even close to the same experience. That won't change your view of life or the appreciation of the breath of God, or the immense amount of freedom the United States gives us. (If you disagree, then go visit a country where its people do not receive any education or have a religion they legally have to participate in – then there can be a conversation.)
Pulling yourself out of the culture creates the “me” mindset: when everything becomes a photoshoot, dressing cute instead of culturally, showing nonverbals that clearly communicate poor thoughts about the people. Complaining about food (saying “it's gross”), smells (the rest of the world doesn’t have sewer systems like the US), having no air conditioning/hot water, or “I can't understand them” (Yeah – they don't speak English with an American accent and they can't understand us either. Half of the time we don’t even try their language).
Then you come back from the trip (not vacation) in awe. There is a new sense of love after seeing how the rest of the world gets to live through their everyday personal choices. How they eat meals and laugh together, walk from place to place, go home and sleep in the same room, and share a bathroom. They don't work their life away or worry about body image. They talk to others on the beach and never rush you out of a restaurant.
Coming home has a different type of meaning with gratitude and purpose. Seeing the world and seeing Jesus in it lets and makes the scales fall off your eyes.
And how do you see Jesus in these moments? I can’t tell you. That just has to be experienced for itself. He will always be with you, and wherever you are is home.
