5 Ways to Worship and Travel
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If you’ve been around Cassie’s Compass at all, I hope you’ve gotten the sense that I believe travel allows us to get to know God better. The more we explore and get to know this place that God created, the more we get to know the Creator himself. However, there is a delicate balance before our awe of this world overtakes our wonder of God. When I travel, it is all too easy for me to get caught up in trying to capture beautiful scenery that I forget to step back and connect with the Creator of it all. That’s why today I am sharing 5 practical ways to incorporate worship and travel.
Prepare with Prayer
Before I leave on an adventure, I prepare with these 4 Prayers for Travel. From praying for the locals to praying for other travelers, I found that praying for a destination beforehand keeps my focus on God during my trip. It also broadens my perspective and encourages me to be a more mindful traveler.
Appreciate ALL Creation
Appreciating God’s creation includes appreciating people. As travelers, it’s easy to appreciate the locals that we come to learn more about. However, a key part of worship and travel is appreciating tourists as well. After all, tourists are each God’s workmanship too. I remember visiting Oia in Santorini at sunset. It was so crowded that the people created a new skyline along the cliffside. Instead of immediate annoyance, I thought about how incredible it was that all these people were getting to experience such a stunning sunset. That sunset made me realize that touristy places create the perfect opportunity to check in with God and see the strangers surrounding you as part of God’s masterpiece too. Crowds may be a turnoff, but they can be beautiful in their own right if you take a step back and see all the unique ways God expressed himself through each person.
Embrace Travel Trials
From plane trouble to language barriers and navigating unfamiliar terrain, there are countless travel scenarios that cause stress. I know deplaning always seems to be one of the highest moments of stress for travelers. On one arrival in Dallas, we were stuck on the plane for 40 minutes as our gate was experiencing a delay. I have never seen so many people stand in the aisle, clutching their luggage and sighing with frustration. I was dead last off of that plane because I let everyone deplane in front of me. When I finally did get to the gate, I happened to run into a dear friend who was crossing paths at that exact moment. Had I been in the stampede off the plane minutes before, I probably would have missed her. With the knowledge that God is in control, worship through example and be a light when others are frustrated.
Be a Good Steward
One of my all-time favorite travel experiences was snorkeling Molokini Crater. Of course the underwater views were incredible. But what really stood out to me was the respect the tour company showed towards the ocean. At one point we actually paused the boat ride to pick up debris floating in the water. As Christians, we should have that same respect no matter where we are on God’s Creation. Worship through your actions and choices. Choose environmentally conscious companies, and of course care for the piece of creation you are visiting.
The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.
Psalm 24:1
Worship
Although it seems simple, I’ve found that actual worship and travel requires mindfulness and practice. In nature especially, I easily get caught up in trying to capture the moment. The biggest challenge that travel blogging has brought to my faith is that I skip praising God and jump right to planning how I can share my experience with others. Lately, I try to make moments that I instantly want to share, trigger moments of prayer and praise to God. I meditate on the peace and calm of earth’s beauty first, and then use my camera as a way to magnify the moment.
I hope these tips help you incorporate worship on your travels. If you liked this guide or if travel has deepened your faith, check out some of my other Christian travel posts. I would love to hear how the Lord has used travel to influence your life!
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