The Ultimate Travel Guide

Leaving the friendly confines of our home towns, and traveling to places outside our comfort zones, can be scary.  Exchanging the familiar for the unknown, is so daunting, that some folks have no desire to leave at all.  I’m not included in that group, but I still have my share of apprehensions anytime I head out, especially to a foreign country.  Will I be able to understand the language and customs? Can I figure the public transport system, or be a prisoner in my room?  The more I travel, the fewer fears I have.  Partly because I’ve done it before, but also because I rely on wise advice from others who have been there before.

Some of you may be familiar with Rick Steves.  He is an American, who has made it his life’s work, to travel extensively throughout Europe and write guide books.  I want his job!!!  Anyway, every time I’ve headed to undiscovered places, a copy of one of Rick’s books goes with me.  He covers all the information that a traveler would need; from what to wear, how to pack, what to see and where to stay.  In addition, he always gives helpful hints on things like; when to visit museums before the crowds arrive, or encouraging you to get out of the car and jump on a beat bog in Ireland! I trust Rick, even though I’ve never met him, and place my faith in his words, because he has personally walked the road ahead of me.  I jokingly call those books my bible, and so far, he’s never steered me wrong!

It’s always been interesting to me that many people find it easy to place their faith in wise-sounding human beings, but are dubious about the truths contained in the Bible.  In all fairness to those folks, I guess I was with them at one time in my life.  But, when I came to the pivotal point in my life, after much study and questioning, when Christ asked me if I believed he was who he said he was, I emphatically responded, “Yes, I believe!” From that time on, I’ve never doubted the truth of the Bible.  That’s not to say I don’t have my share of questions, but I believe that it was written by trustworthy men, inspired by God’s Holy Spirit, who had walked the road before me, not unlike Rick Steves. They covered every aspect of Christian life from the exhilarating  highs to the discouraging lows, and everything in between.  We are, after all, citizens of another kingdom, and need to be acutely aware of the beauty as well as the dangers that we will encounter on this earth.

I’m leaving on another European adventure in a few days, and you can be sure that Rick will accompany me.  And you can be just as sure that, on a daily basis,  I refer to the ultimate guidebook, the Bible, for all that I will ever need as a traveler on this amazing journey of Christian life!  Do you still have doubts, then heed the advice Christ gave to doubting Thomas; “Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!’ “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, ‘You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.’” John 20:27-29. Put His book to the test, then fearlessly travel beyond your doubts!  “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” St. Augustine.