Tourist vs Traveler

Tourist VS Traveler

I ran across this comparison, and it intrigued me. As a person trying to be a faithful follower of Christ, I had to ask myself, do I live my life as a traveler or a tourist? Looking toward Pentecost I seek the gifts of the Holy Spirit that will set me on fire to live a more authentic Catholic life. I think the apostles started out as tourists but their encounter with Christ turned them into travelers. They all died a martyr's death except those who stood at the foot of Christ cross sharing his agony.

None of us know the length of our days but we should move through them like children who have a great sense of awe and wonder. But at some point, they lose that awe and no longer discover but only see. The child is like a tourist who sees, but does not engage with it for very long, being too busy moving on to the next adventure. His goal is pleasure and excitement and a time to escape his life’s boredom.  He knows all about the sights and sounds and tastes but does not enter them enough to experience their depths, savor the flavors, nor learn about the people he encounters.

A traveler on the other hand moves through life with the goal of experiencing its every nuance he carefully plans ahead and prepares for multiple possibilities, not just by packing a bag but by studying about his destiny and what may be  required of him on the way. As he walks his own path he is slowly transformed by his discoveries about the people and cultures that he experiences with all of his senses by tasting, touching, and listening to the people and the sounds and the scents of the environment.  He is open enough to drop any prejudices previously held to avail himself to the full experience of life from another perspective.  He returns home with memories versus photos, with a more open mind versus boxing people and cultures into bigoted categories. He sees the beauty and wonder created by the author of creation and walks forward as a better person.

 The committed Christian is always seeking to learn the way of Christ. Travelers enjoy the pleasures of food as nourishment versus sensual gratification. He is willing to endure the uncomfortable and maybe even the painful because suffering has redemptive value. He knows his destiny is to be with Christ in heaven and that the road is filled with potholes, muddy ruts and steep ascents as well as beautiful vistas. The traveler takes in stride whatever the journey throws at him knowing it is not ruining his trip but strengthening him for each mile forward. His journey may only take a few short years, but he is prepared; ready to take on a long haul if that is what is required of him.

A tourist, as already said, seeks out what gives pleasure and avoids unfamiliar experiences with skepticism and maybe avoidance. Truly he enjoys the delights of his trip yet does not have the focus to plan for his true destiny.  He seeks no depth, no meaningful interaction with his fellow tourists or even with travelers.  Travelers are too goal oriented to be fun companions, or so he thinks.

Which are you, a tourist or a traveler? You know your destiny and you never know when your ship will sail.