The Faith Traveler

“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and set out for a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, even though he did not know where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8, Christian Standard Bible).

As my friends know, I love to travel. In fact, it is common to be greeted with the question, “Where’s your next trip?” It doesn’t matter if it’s five miles down the road or across continents, I’m ready for new sights and new adventures. Part of the enjoyment comes from sharing the adventure with a good friend. But I’ve learned not everyone makes a good travel companion. It must be someone whose “style” matches mine. Here’s my definition of some common traveler types.

• The Organizer researches everything ahead of time—distance, hours to destination, things to see, and places to eat. Google, AAA, or whatever, they know the details. This traveler has a schedule and doesn’t deviate.
• The Adventurer does have an ultimate destination in mind, but detours and stops are not just tolerated but embraced. Something historical down that road? Well, let’s stop to see it. Time doesn’t matter, but they will eventually arrive at the planned destination. Eventually is the key word.
• The Point and Go traveler doesn’t care about the journey, regardless of any interesting sights along the way. They point the car and go. Reaching the destination in the most direct manner is the goal. Pity any passenger who would like to stop for a bathroom break or a Coke.

I suppose I’m a combination of the Organizer and the Adventurer. I like to know details about distance and destination, but oh, how I enjoy those impromptu side trips along the way. Even getting lost is fun. Years later we still laugh about our “shortcut” that went from pavement to gravel road and then to just ruts and dust. A very puzzled man in a pickup finally stopped and pointed us back to the highway.

The Ultimate Traveler

There is another type traveler, and I hope this one describes me as well. It’s The Faith Traveler. The best example I have of this person is Abraham. Hebrews 11:8 tells us he left the comfort of the known for an unknown destination. He had no step-by-step printed directions. A GPS would be worthless (if it had existed) because there was no way to enter a destination address.

Obey? Or Stay?

The question: obey or stay? When Abraham stepped out by faith, he surrendered all control of the situation. God became his Master Navigator.

Being a Faith Traveler is scary. Like Abraham, we need faith to launch ourselves into the unknown when God calls us to go. We also need a mega dose of obedience. But we don’t need to fear. God is plotting our perfect course.

Is God asking you to step out by faith in to the unknown? Are you having trouble surrendering complete control to Him? If He has called you to step into this great unknown, He will also lead you. He may only reveal one step at a time, but He knows the destination and it’s a good one. He’s the Master Navigator, so don’t worry.

“You will hear a word spoken behind you, saying, ‘This is the correct way, walk in it,’ whether you are heading to the right or the left” (Isaiah 30:21, New English Translation).

Prayer: Lord, increase my faith so that I can launch myself into the unknown with You, knowing You will reveal the way I should go. You will guide me each step of the way.