A nomadic Christian is a rare thing. In my travels around the United States, I’ve met countless traveling Buddhists, atheists, gnostics, and nominal Catholics— but Bible-believing Christians are few and far between. This is mostly due to the places I journey, I’m sure: you are not likely to meet many Christians at hostels, couchsurfing situations, and organic farms. No matter where you go, though, travel gets you out and about to places you’ve never been before, and people you would never meet otherwise. It’s a wonderful time to influence people and grow closer to God.
Brothers and sisters, here are seven things I encourage you to do when you’re on the road (well… actually, at any time, but especially when you’re on the road).
Read your Bible. Even if you’re on a relaxing vacation, you shouldn’t be taking a vacation from the one you love most. The new environment and new people you meet stimulate your mind, and may help you to see or understand something that you’d never really thought about before. Also, if you start talking to people about faith, you’re going to have to be on your guard for all sorts of half-baked theology. Reading the Bible helps you become ready to respectfully say that the Bible condemns the love of money, not money itself, or that “your body is a temple” refers to sexual sin, not overeating.
Memorize scripture. Those boring bus, train and plane rides are a great time to crack open your Bible and commit a psalm to memory. This is something that I’ve slacked off on lately, and just writing these words inspires me to start memorizing again. I can’t even begin to explain how comforting it is to have an arsenal of Scripture ready when bad things happen.
Pray. See point #1. Don’t take a vacation from God— first, it won’t work, and second, why would you want to distance yourself from him? Thank him for the amazing time you’re having. Ask him to keep you safe and prepare your heart for the people you’re going to meet. Pray that he’ll open your eyes to everything he wants you to see, and that you will grow and become more holy through the experiences.
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| Mary and I met Beth at the First Baptist Church of Bellingham, Washington. She became our grandmother for the week. |
Go to church. I’m not a stickler about church attendance, and more than once I’ve backed out of attending a church on the road because I felt my jeans and t-shirt would be offensive to the women wearing the floor-length skirts. However, I encourage you to give it a shot sometime. You get a new perspective on church and feel a connection to your brothers and sisters from somewhere else. It’s also a great chance to learn about other denominations. On the road, I’ve visited worship services hosted by all sorts of churches and groups: Catholic, Baptist, Assembly of God, Greek Orthodox, reformed nondenominational, even anarchist.
Talk to people. Especially if you’re an introvert, this is the last thing you want to do. But stay in touch with God throughout your day, and don’t shut out a chance to talk to someone just because it makes you uncomfortable. You never know the ways that God will use you to speak into someone’s life.
Evangelize. This expresses itself differently for each person; not everyone is called to be a street preacher. I find that God often leads me to apologize for the way that Christians have hurt the people I meet. Frequently I’d find myself explaining that Christianity is about loving God and doing what he commands because we love him, not following a set of rules because we feel guilty. And most importantly, I try to be an ideal guest, a hard worker, and a loving person— because that is often the best witness of all.
Worship. Travel is full of vivid experiences, and God showers his gifts on you when you’re on the road. Praise him for his creation when you’re hiking the Grand Canyon. Thank him for his provision when you meet a new friend at a hostel. Bask in his presence when you are out somewhere alone, and glorify him by your words when you’re hanging out in a group. No matter where you go, at home or on the road, stay aware of his presence in your life, and marvel at what he has done, what he is doing, and, most importantly, who he is.
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