Both tourists and Christian travelers enjoy travel for rest and recreation. The differences between them lie in their attitudes, aims and expectations.

For the tourist recreational travel is an end in itself. For the Christian traveler recreational travel is a means to an end. The tourist approaches travel with a carefree attitude knowing that they are escaping from the cares of daily life. The Christian traveler approaches travel with a prayerful attitude knowing that they are seeking God's will in their life.The tourist aims to rest before returning refreshed to the daily grind. The Christian traveler aims to enter God's rest.The tourist expects to gain physical strength.The Christian traveler expects to grow spiritually.

Whenever Christians engage in recreational travel they have the choice of going on their journey as a tourist or a Christian traveler. Both choices are valid and both offer rewards. Sometimes we all need to get away from it all as a tourist. Sometimes we all need to seek God as a Christian traveler remembering that all Christians are pilgrims on God's earth.

 

There's no discouragement;
To make them once relent;
Their first avowed intent;
To be a pilgrim.

John Bunyan
(1628-1688)