I left the country for the first time in the summer of 2006 for Wiesbaden, Germany. Since that initial departure, I’ve lost count of my flights to far off places.
I love it. There are very few things better or more exciting than hopping on a flight into the unknown.
But ever since I got back from the World Race the first time around there has been a big internal struggle happening. Somewhere along the line, I picked up the title of “World Traveler.” “Hey, the World Traveler is back. How long are you in town? Where are you flying off to next?” At first it was kind of funny, but now I find myself internally cringing when this comes up.
My traveling has all of a sudden become one of the biggest things which define me. I feel as if I am rarely defined by the reason of why I go to the places I go to, but just the fact that I’m going.
I don’t want that to define me. It doesn’t. Is it a blessing to go where I’ve been? Yes! I wouldn’t trade it for anything. But when it comes to sharing about me and my experiences, I’m really not interested in the country I’ve been to. I’m not going in order to put another notch on the ol’ belt. What I want, is to share stories about the people I’ve met. The amazing ways God is moving through places that most folks have given up on. I want to share in the little miracles happening each day that would be easy to overlook.
Please understand. This isn’t some passive aggressive guilt trip on my part for anyone who has ever asked me where I’m going to next or mentioned me as the “World Traveler.”That’s not my point and I’m not upset by it. But who I am extends far beyond the physical act of going from point A to point B.
Who am I?
A son.
A brother.
Someone passionately in pursuit of a Heavenly Father.
Someone with a willing spirit of “yes” and going where that leads.
A man.
One who doesn’t believe in hopeless situations or that people are too lost.
The traveling is going to stop one of these days and that will be that. But the items mentioned above? That will always be a part of who I am.
