For many years I’ve told people that I like to travel, but I'm not sure that is — or ever was — true. I’ve been fortunate to have lived in many wonderful places, and that is how I like to travel Therefore, I’m not well traveled; I’m “well lived”. Of course, there are many places I’ve not been able to live, so I’ve read books set in or historical accounts of far away places, or watched beautifully produced documentaries. I’m an armchair traveller. This does not mean that I haven’t travelled or that I won’t travel, but . . . well I like the familiar. There is one fascinating destination that I wander through often; it is both familiar and foreign to me — my Christian experience.
It is possible to be an armchair Christian just as much as an armchair traveller, and I’ve been one. Many don't realize just how easy it is to be an armchair Christian, for nobody's Christian journey can be gauged by passport stamps or pins on a map. And unlike Christian’s journey in Pilgrim’s Progress, generally our journey is not very linear. “Been there. Done that.” doesn't always (or even usually) apply to the Christian journey. Nice clear progress would be very satisfying, yet that “Been there. Done that.” expectation is rarely gratified. This journey is more time than geographically orientated. The journey doesn’t end when you get to a certain place but when the time is over. Like in musical chairs you keep moving (wandering, exploring, learning, and growing) till the music stops.
My traveling in this mode is neither unique nor exciting (in the thrill-a-minute sense), and I wonder how many people feel the same way. How many of you think that something more should be happening? How many of you want to get out of your armchair?
Well, I have no answer for you. Surprised? I don’t believe that any person has an answer; that knowledge is God’s. I don't have answers, but I have experiences. This blog is a type of “travel log” rather than a “guidebook” in the hope that sharing my experiences might be an encouragement or a caution to to others. I’m not sure if I’m even out of my armchair (and I’m certain that I’ll sit back down at some point), but I welcome your company. Nothing has been planned. I’ve no set of clever parallels for luggage, passports, tickets, etc. The only thing I have is the ultimate Michelin Guide — the Bible. If I’m not sure I’m on the right track, I can refer to it. If I’m not sure a philosophy is safe to partake of, I can refer to it. And the more often I refer to it the more clear my travel will be. Interested?
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