We were asked to write an essay called “This I Believe” about what really matters to us, as preparation for this world missions adventure called the World Race. This is what I believe…
“The world is a book and those who don’t travel read only a page” ~St. Augustine.
Traveling is important to me. I love to travel, to talk about traveling, to look at maps, and to learn about different cultures, countries and people. Seeing the world as larger than my little corner is very important to me. I believe that this also gives me a bigger picture of who God is.
I believe in order to fully experience God, to see His immense creativity and beauty, one must experience His creation. More than the 30 km radius from where you were born and raised. God created mountains and oceans. He created pine trees and palm trees. He created Caucasians, Hispanics, Asians and Africans. This diversity demonstrates how incredible God is. Without experiencing something different from your own corner you cannot fully experience how amazing and diverse God really is.
I am from Northern Ontario, where I have lived since I was six years old. There are trees, lakes and animals of plenty. Deer on the side of the road is not uncommon. As everyone is gearing up for the two h’s (hunting and hockey) I can look out my window and see God’s beauty in the red, yellow, and orange leaves that cover the forests of trees that line the roads, and cover the hills. I can see the millions of stars at night and I see God’s beauty in the sunsets and across the lakes. If I had only ever stayed in Northern Ontario, I would only have this view of God. It is not a bad view, just a limited view.
I have traveled to many different places in my life. One of my favourites includes Capri island, Italy. Here I could look out over the clear blue sea, walk by an orange tree, and eat gelatto while listening to conversations in Italian (not that I could understand them). I could see God’s creativity in landscapes, languages and culture.
Paris is another example. Here you are able to see the Eiffel tower, or the Mona Lisa. By seeing first hand these things you are able to appreciate God, who created the man to have a brain, and hands to make such beautiful paintings and architecture. By walking through a city with such a rich history, one can appreciate that God is eternal. God was present back in the day, here and now with us, and He will still be here in the future, when tomorrow becomes today.
You do not have to leave the country to experience God in different cultures. In Canada there are many cultures represented from coast to coast. Without traveling and experiencing new cultures and different surroundings you cannot fully experience God’s enormity and thoughtfulness.
Going back to St. Augustine’s quote “The world is a book and those who don’t travel read only a page”. If you read a page of a book you get a taste of what the book is about. By reading the book, you get to know the author.
To read more about the World Race, click HERE
