The summer season brings for many an opportunity to travel. Even for those who are themselves not able to travel, there is the possibility of receiving visiting travellers from elsewhere.

The Bible has some interesting and insightful things to say about travel, which has been part of human life ever since Adam and Eve were sent away from the Garden of Eden.

Men and women of faith are often led to travel. It was clearly God's call that led Abraham to journey from Ur of the Chaldeans through Haran to Canaan, where God wanted him to view the land his offspring would possess. (Genesis 11: 31; 12: 1-5) Generations later, God summoned Moses to lead his people on a great trek back from Egypt to Canaan. (Exodus 3: 7-10) The apostle Paul planned and undertook at least three great missionary journeys throughout ancient Greece and into Europe to establish many Christian congregations.

Some journeys are forced, and for sad or difficult reasons. When the Israelites were carried off to captivity in Babylon, they wept. (Psalm 137) On other occasions, travels began with deliberate purpose and hope. Nehemiah returned from Babylon aiming to rebuild Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 1: 1-3; 2: 11-12)

From the beginning, travels have sometimes involved "running away". Refugees have had need of resting places. Cain started travelling after killing his brother Abel. He ran, roaming the earth, but he told God that travelling all the time would be too exhausting. (Genesis 4: 13) When the Israelites were preparing to take possession of Canaan, God directed Moses to ensure the creation of detention centres, where accused murderers might find shelter until the day of a fair and lawful trial. (Numbers 35: 9-15)

Not all journeys are undertaken in the best of circumstances, but in the care and company of God wonderful things can happen. One of the most famous journeys in all of human history involved a pregnant woman named Mary, who accompanied her husband Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem, to fulfil a government requirement for census enrollment. (Luke 2: 4) I suspect that Mary was less than enthusiastic about undertaking the trip! Yet, in the perfection of God's providence, the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem fulfilled ancient prophecy, and even though the journey led to another trek to Egypt and back (Matthew 2: 13-19), in God's time Jesus was in the place of His appointment, and revealed in speech and in action the divine plan for our salvation.

What travels will you undertake this year? As we celebrate the opportunities to view different parts of God's creation and to join or rejoin family and friends at the end of happily-planned journeys, let us give thanks. As we contemplate with sadness journeys which we might rather not make, let us remember God's grace to His people who have made similar journeys in difficult circumstances. In all our travels, and in our reception of travellers who come our way, let us reflect on what God intends for us, and the provision He makes for us.

Our travels are physical, but also spiritual. We are called to journey with and to our God. The ultimate destination to which He wishes to lead and accompany us is His home -- and ours -- in heaven. The scenery along the way, and the people, are part of God's rich blessings for us!

May the Lord grant safety and satisfaction in your summer travels and among travellers who come your way, and even a surprise or two!

Your pastor,

James T. Hurd.