Globetrotting

Travelling is expensive. There is nothing wrong with exploring and expanding your world by travelling here or there as you have opportunity. In fact, I quite enjoy it. I write as one of your typical North Americans who has purchased a train pass and traveled through parts of Europe on a whirlwind adventure.

I have toured the canals in Venice, inspected Michelangelo’s masterpiece in Florence, surveyed the ancient ruins in Rome, and relived The Sound of Music story in Salzburg, Austria. I have watched the sun rise over the Swiss Alps and raced along the German autobahn – although my friend’s BMW was never quite the same after that. Castles, cathedrals, concentration camps…it was an educational adventure.

But as you pursue a new career, not to mention God’s purpose for your life, it is also a good idea to carefully consider how you are spending the time and using the limited resources you have been given. It is prudent to have a plan.

Planning is important. God answers prayer and miracles do happen but it is wise not to always presume upon them. Don’t expect God to routinely do for you what He may well expect you to routinely do for yourself. Arriving back in Canada in 1988 with seventy-five cents in my pocket, after studying and travelling in Europe, was not a prelude to a spectacular divine-intervention story. God’s provision came rather by way of a very demanding and difficult job. Consider that jobs are usually created because somebody somewhere had a detailed plan.

Developing a career plan is likewise critical for career success. So if you enjoy traveling, try to do it in a way that fits with your career direction plan. If you are considering a medical career, you might want to consider a short-term trip that ties into that. Many African countries, for example, would be happy to have you. I have met farmers who have traveled to western Australia to see how the “Ozzies” do things down under. Met a pastor who flew to London, England, to meet Nicky Gumbel, the Anglican minister who helped to make the Alpha program a global success. The possibilities are endless.

The thing is, a large world to explore and lots of opportunities to travel can be a paralyzing combination. In order not to get sidetracked, remember that it is impossible to see and experience first-hand even a very small part of this planet over an entire lifetime.

My wife’s grandfather was quite convinced that the valley surrounding his prairie farm contained more to see and experience than he would ever be able to take in.