The Love of Travel

Traveling has been high on both my husband's and my list since we first met. We both love traveling. We truly had much in common, and traveling was one of them. We had planned for 2 years to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary aboard Norwegian Cruise Line for a 10-day Mediterranean, Italy, and Greek Isles tour (e.g., Pisa, Santorini, and a private Malta excursion). Malta was the place where Paul was taken while under house arrest in Rome, shipwrecked on his journey, bitten by a snake, and healed (Acts 28 NIV). A cruise that we had planned before COVID-19, in 2020, but did not take until 2021 due to the pandemic uncertainties.

It was the most enjoyable, fun, and relaxing cruise we had ever taken, aside from the modes of transportation encountered. We added two days before and after to stay in Rome, Italy, to visit places of interest, such as the Vatican. A colleague of my husband and wife planned a night out at an Italian restaurant and a short city tour. We also had a chance to try some of the best gelato. Before that meeting, they took us to a shopping plaza to get some clothing our luggage had not arrived among others traveling. Friends had offered clothing on the tour. I know God was watching over us and how we would react. We later discovered that, without a doubt, “there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother”(Proverbs 18:24), meaning true friends.  

We had an incredible tour that was rich in cultural and historical context. Rest topped the list, along with seeing the sun rise and set, and the moon and stars unveil themselves, too. Relaxation and spa conveniences, dinner date nights, tours and excursions, and meetings with our groups. Most noteworthy was spending alone time with the Son, Jesus Christ, through devotions, meditation on the word, and prayer on our balcony. A Son, which sounds like ‘sun’ in a different context. Something we both needed due to prolonged personal and professional challenges and schedules. Joshua drives this home when he stated:

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success, (Joshua 1:8).

Over 20 passages in the Bible acclaim the abundance of the sun and heavens. David clearly emphasizes one of them in this context:

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course (Psalms 19:1-5 NIV).

Consequently, it reminds me just how good He is, who makes the sunshine on the good and evil. Matthew recorded that “For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (5:45 NKJV).

Point of Reflection:

What’s your favorite travel destination? Pray for an upcoming trip or others you may know who are traveling to places near and far.

Dr. Philomena M. Johnson