Lets Talk About How Big Your World Is

Lets Talk About How Big Your World Is 

Its amazing how traveling opens your eyes to how big the world is and at the same time how small it is. Traveling to Iceland and Norway was a reminder that there is a whole world of people living differently than myself. They face different challenges than I do in the US, they eat different food, they speak a different language. But its not the differences that made my world bigger it was similarities. We worship the same God. We sing praises. We reach out for the bread and wine of communion. We love to spend time with friends and family. We love deep meaningful conversation. We love to laugh and play. We are children of God. It is these realizations that make our world bigger than it was before. While this is easier to see when you are six time zones away, it is also something you can see without leaving home. It is easy to never leave home and make your world small by not seeing all the people who make up the collective “we” or you can never leave home and open yourself up a range of experiences with people by instead of viewing others as “they” and instead change it to a “we.” I hope that you all get a chance to travel and see God’s creation all over this great big world, but in the mean time I hope you make your world big by embracing all that is around you now.

I don't have the words to express what this trip has meant to me. I am aware of the fact that it is honor and privilege to travel this world. This trip is one that I will cherish and ponder for years to come. I am so grateful for the hospitality that was offered to us in both Iceland and Norway and all the hard work that went into planning this trip. It was truly a gift. 

Gracious God, open our eyes to your creation. Help each of us to learn from those around us so that our world can get bigger. Instill in us a curiosity to see how your children live around the world so that we become even more in awe of all that you have made. Create space for us to share our experiences with one another. Amen.