Travel.
The word itself seems to sparkle as it floats from your mouth and into the stale air around you. The word carries hope. Adventure. Freedom. Potential. It’s a loaded word that seems to flood gray worlds with the color of something new and fresh.
Hearers immediately envision National Geographic images of dancing tribal chiefs painted in their war colors, exotic foods on the beaches of Thailand, oceanside markets in Spain, rolling green hills, crystal blue water, train stations in Germany, ancient rituals in India, cascading waterfalls, hostels, taxis, enlightenment, happiness, joy…
Essentially, everything that here is not… wherever “here” might be.
The traveler is wise from her experiences. Her passport pages are stamped with proof that she has been where you have not, seen what you have not, and experienced people and places that have given her wisdom that only the outer reaches of the planet can offer. She is happy and free. At fancy dinners, she casually contributes to conversations, “Actually, the cuisine in rural Japan isn’t what you’d think” or “Hiking Kilimanjaro is exhausting but so worth the experience.”
And when people ask, “What do you want to do with your life?” she just shrugs and says, “I’m not looking to settle down. I want to save up and just travel around, you know, see the world.” And if she can find a job that permits traveling (or even entails it) then she has found the holy grail of what it means to live a full life.
The reason I’m writing this is to absolutely annihilate that idea.
Because I’ve done it. I’ve traveled the world. I’ve seen some of the most stunning scenery the world has to offer. I’ve been on a safari in Africa. I’ve hiked to the Sun Gate in Machu Picchu. I’ve been to over half of the states. I’ve bungee jumped from 14th highest jump in the world (twice… and I skydived… skydove?) I’ve met people from African tribes, some even dressed in their beautiful tribal attire. I’ve tried some delicious, cultural delicacies as well as some atrocious, native food that I hope to never see again as long as I live.
And you know what? None of that made me any better of a person. At least not to the degree that most people believe it would.
You see, we have this notion that travel is somehow magic. But do we ever really consider why?
I think this might help. Are you happy where you are? Seriously, are you happy? Do you go to bed every night without burdens, sleeping with a smile? Do you shut your computer after yet another season of some Netflix show and think, “What a great life I am living!”?
I mean… we all want what we believe travel offers. Escape. But sadly, it isn’t true. Once you land in another country, it’s exhilarating, but only for a couple weeks. Once the jet lag and the culture shock wear off, you realize that you’re staring right into the eyes of the exact same beast you left back in LAX.
This beast we call “life.”
The world is covered in dirt and it’s inhabited by people who are just trying to get by, people who are searching couch cushions to pay bills, working overtime to provide for their children, cramming to pass in school, praying that they will find a job, fix their car, find a date, or yes, even escape their home in hopes that one day they’ll get the opportunity to see (you guessed it) America.
Uplifting stuff, huh? Don’t worry, I won’t leave you here. I just want you to see through this lie that we’re constantly fed, the lie that somehow traveling is the answer to all of our problems and the fruition of all of our dreams. I have 3 things to say about this and then I’m done. I promise.
1. If you are promoting this through your life, it probably isn’t helping.
Travel social media accounts are common, and are often supported by followers in the K’s (thousands… for all of you who aren’t on Insta). Their life looks like heaven on earth. As you scroll through their feed, you are inundated with professional grade photos of surreal scenery and exotic experiences, all glued together by a common smile in each shot.
To be fair, many truly believe that they are inspiring people. And yes, some people might benefit from these types of accounts. But statistically, studies have found otherwise. In a broad sense, social media induces jealousy and dissatisfaction, ultimately leading to elevated depression. See one of many studies here.
Unfortunately, many of these followers will be momentarily pulled from their cubicle, stinky car, or bathroom stall and perhaps will enjoy the pictures for a second. But then they will be transported back to their environment, often sadder than before.
Do we truly believe that bombarding others with images of us doing what they long to do is actually going to help?
Serious question.
2. There are valuable things we can gain from travel.
Ok, I know what you’re thinking. But who can stand at the edge of the Grand Canyon and not be changed??? Fair point. Beautiful scenery, people, and just getting out and seeing the world will give you a different perspective on life, but, as I noted above, it isn’t some enchanted experience that will leave your face glowing or anything like that. Seeing the beauty of God’s creation and wanting to share it with others is both great and beneficial.
My purpose in writing this is not to say that travel is bad. It’s fun! Do it if you can/want to. My purpose is simply to show you that traveling is not this heaven that everyone believes it to be, and that traveling does not necessarily make you a spectacular person.
Did you notice that in my opening description, I never once mentioned befriending the people of different cultures? I’ll be honest, there is so much you can learn from these people. I’m not talking about meeting them and having a passing conversation. I’m talking about becoming friends with them. I have grown so much in my personal life (in a very humbling way) by making friends in other cultures and entering into their world. Seeing the differences in what they value, how they live, and the subtle, cultural nuances that dictate their social dynamics is absolutely fascinating. This takes time, but it’s well worth it.
Immersion in that kind of environment is life-changing.
But you know what? You don’t need a passport to have this kind of experience. We live in a land where the world comes to us. And even aside from that, different subcultures exist within our communities. In short, you can have life-changing, cultural experiences without ever going through customs.
Kind of boring, isn’t it? Well that’s my point. What I believe is the most beneficial aspect of traveling isn’t really exclusive to travel. For example, I actually believe that there are enormous cultural differences between African Americans and white Americans such that interracial friends could benefit profoundly just by entering into each other’s lives.
Do all your friends look like you? Do they all drive the same type of cars and live in the same size houses? Then maybe you need to do a bit of traveling.
3. There is an answer to our problems and dreams.
I’m “religious” or whatever, so here’s my solution, which I believe to be the truth.
You want to be somewhere else. We really all do. This entire world is quite dreadful, and the little happy phases and momentary pleasures just don’t seem entirely redeeming. We all desire more, and there’s a reason for that. Perhaps nobody has ever said it as well as C.S. Lewis:
“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”
That world is heaven. You long for heaven. And a life lived well is a life lived in service of Jesus Christ, the one who is the culmination of all your desires. He died on the cross in order to redeem this broken place and in order to fix your soul, which is broken by sin. If you turn to Him for forgiveness and trust in Him, you will find true joy, in heaven. We all long to go there…
…to, shall we say, travel there.
You might disagree with me on that, and if so that’s fine. But if I could flood your social media feed with anything, it would be Jesus, because I believe that He alone will bring you the happiness you crave in travel.
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