God's canvas

When it comes to traveling, there are two kinds of people in the world.  Those who do...and those who don't.  Those who don't travel, don't travel for a variety of reasons.  Maybe it's because of finances.  Or, maybe because of health reasons.  But in this group of non-travelers, there is one subset that I find to be particularly perplexing.  This group doesn't travel because they just don't want to.  They don't see the appeal.  They are perfectly happy just seeing their small corner of the universe.  Over the years I have had a few of these folks in my life, and through conversations I have had with them, I have been forced to ask myself why it is that I travel...why it is that I long to explore the world.  I've always struggled to put it into words, but through some recent experiences I think that my mind is starting to grasp something my heart always understood. 

The world is God's canvas, and on it he has painted the most beautiful piece of art that has ever been or ever will be.  

It's like if someone gave you a Masterpiece of art that was completely covered with a sheet except for one small corner where the covering slipped off.  And that corner is beautiful. The colors are vibrant, the subject interesting.  In fact, it is a beautiful section of the art, and since you like it so darn much, you decide to keep the rest of the painting covered.  So you go on with your life, only seeing the one small corner of the painting that was uncovered when it was gifted to you.  

That is what life without travel is like.  It does not negate the beautify and wonder of our small corner of the world, but it does limit us from seeing and appreciating the greater picture.  God created for us a world full of beauty.  He created spectacular mountains and rocky beaches.  He created tide pools and redwood trees.  He created language and spices.  He created delicate flowers in red, blue, yellow, and red.  He created sheer cliffs and great desert landscapes.  He painted the world, and allows us to soak up its beauty.  Our world, every corner of it, was created for our enjoyment.  Get out there and enjoy it!