“The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see.” ~ G.K. Chesterton
Our life is but a splinter, on a tree of time that never ceases to grow.
As a believer, one should come early to the realization that this world is not our home. Therefore, if this world is not our home, then it would be much easier to relax our grip on possessions that are not ours to keep (Matthew 6:20)!
Relationships would be richer! Ministry would be simpler! And love might just be fuller, as a traveler sees things that are previously unseen in their lives and their normal rhythms.
In contrast, a tourist comes for the attractions. If you travel to New York City, of course, you see the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and wild individuals on many city sidewalks.
Now take this traveling mindset and apply it to your Christian walk. From the moment you believe, your residency address is in Heaven, and you are simply a journeyer through this world.
As the famed Charles Dickens writes in, A Christmas Carol, in reflection on the Christmas season, let us think of others “as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.”
It is in the realization that the craziness of the world is our eternal lodging that we have hope. The Apostle Paul defends this truth in writing,
“Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him” (2 Corinthians 5:6-9).
Whether we are presently away from home or nearing it, our standing is in Christ and therefore, we can be confident and have hope that the future, ultimately, will be better.
When walking by sight, there is only so much we can see. Oh, but in faith, our confidence is overwhelming, and our hope is steadfast.
So, take heart! Travel together and travel light, for all shall be unpacked (Psalm 34:3; Philippians 3:20-21). Attractions here, pale in comparison to that which shall be revealed (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Beautiful message!
We are glad you enjoyed it!