Pilgrim or Tourist?

Something I read early on in my sabbatical really struck me. Apparently, years ago, the English scientist Rupert Sheldrake was asked what single change he would recommend for the new millennium that could make a difference to the world. His reply was that every tourist should become a pilgrim. 

Of course in some places we humans are totally overrunning and even damaging beautiful and historical locals. We are loving them to death… And so as we were preparing to travel for the sabbatical, I thought a lot about that. We were going to some well-loved spots.

In hindsight, I know I didn’t always get this right. There were plenty of times I was the obnoxious tourist with my camera, trying to get that picture, not speaking the language in France, even driving on the wrong side of the road in Scotland – once… or, maybe twice! And I wondered, are you a tourist, Joe, or a pilgrim?

But what is the difference between a tourist and a pilgrim? 

Perhaps it is that as a pilgrim we would always approach a place with reverence and respect – and not only for the place but for the people. Perhaps it is traveling with the expectation that God is going to meet us – not only in our final destination but all along the way… and not only in the places or the landscape – but that God is going to meet us in the people.

Perhaps Sheldrake’s claim is a great metaphor that applies not only when we are traveling as a tourist, but also as we travel all throughout life.  

In Colossians, chapter one, the Apostle Paul writes: Christ himself is before all things, and in him, all things hold together.” And then later in chapter 3, verse 11, he makes this bold statement: “Christ is all and in all!”

May you and I walk through this life as pilgrims rather than tourists. And, may our eyes and hearts be attuned to Christ deep within all that has being.

Let us pray: God of all creation, grant us grace that we might approach life with awe and reverence. Create in us an expectation to meet you in the wider world of culture, landscape, and people. And as we glimpse your presence, your hand at work, may we give thanks and praise. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.