By Cheryl Mah
As the year-end holidays draw near, many families across Singapore are preparing for a well-deserved break. After months of routines and responsibilities, it feels refreshing to pause and explore new places. Travelling gives us space to reconnect, slow down, and marvel at how vast God’s world is. Yet even as we go abroad, we carry something greater than our luggage i.e. the light of Christ, shining through how we interact, love, and treat others.
When Strangers Show God’s Love
When my son had an accident in Bali, the doctors and nurses went beyond their duty – preparing insurance paperwork, checking in regularly, and showing genuine care. Their compassion reflected the heart of the Good Samaritan. Moments like these remind me that sharing Christ’s love doesn’t need a stage or a programme. It happens in simple ways – a smile, a kind word, or a thank you. When we travel, each encounter can become a quiet act of grace that reflects God’s kindness in us.
Seeing God in Every Culture
During a trip to the Philippines, I stayed with a family who insisted that my companions and I eat their home-cooked meals first while they ate what was left. Their selfless hospitality humbled me deeply and reminded me that God’s image shines in every culture and act of generosity. When we learn local phrases, show respect, and honour differences, we acknowledge and give thanks for God’s manifold beauty in every culture.
Choosing Calm Over Conflict
Our witness is often reflected in the way we respond to others. On a recent flight, the passenger in front of me reclined his seat almost the entire six-hour journey, even during meals. My seat neighbour was visibly irritated on my behalf, and I felt the same frustration rising. Yet God reminded me that while I couldn’t control his actions, I could choose my response. Choosing peace over irritation wasn’t easy, but it was freeing. Sometimes, restraint speaks louder than correction, revealing whether Christ’s peace truly fills our hearts.
Grace Under Pressure
It’s not only people but also situations that test us: delays, lost luggage, bad weather, or plans gone wrong. Travel can quickly wear us down, yet such moments reveal who we are becoming in Christ. Instead of complaining, we can choose calmness. Instead of frustration, gratitude. Each response is a chance to mirror His character. As residents of Singapore blessed with stability and opportunity, our travels are more than privileges; they are opportunities to show humility, patience, and kindness wherever we go.
A Heart for Every Nation
Our actions as travellers often speak louder than we realise. Every place we visit is someone’s home – a community deeply loved by God. When we respect local customs, obey their rules, and treat others with gentleness, we honour the God who made all peoples. Even small gestures of courtesy can leave a quiet impact. As we take in the beauty of each nation, we can also lift its people in prayer – that God’s peace, mercy, and hope would rest upon the land we’ve been blessed to walk through.
When the plane touches down at Changi Airport, my heart fills with joy for the beauty I’ve seen and gratitude for the home God has given me. Each journey reminds me that the world is vast, yet His presence accompanies us everywhere. Whether near or far, may we travel not just to see new places, but to reveal the heart of Christ in every step we take.