God Is

"Why didn't anyone tell me?"

This was posted on social media the other day by an acquaintance of mine. When asked for clarification, he responded that no one had told him about God. 

That made me think. Certainly, he had heard of the concept of a divine being responsible for the universe and everything in it, but this was clearly a revelation - a moment of clarity reached by some impetus that apparently many of us take for granted. Furthermore, many of us may not be doing our due diligence to introduce God to our brothers and sisters.

In Catholic school, we learned, not only that God is our creator, but He is omnipotent, omniscient, and ever-present. We were taught about countless scriptures from Genesis onward where people throughout history were determined that the rest of us know the God they knew. We were taught to pray to Him - with our thanks and our needs, for good wishes for our family and friends, for peace, safety, and understanding. We received the framework, but it was up to us to nurture that relationship and develop our capabilities to truly know God.

Clearly, people around the world have been introduced to the concept of a god. Many believe, many do not, many are skeptical. Incontrovertible proof is a futile goal. I just wonder how many who are out there have simply not been properly introduced.  

God is your Uncle

While he did not directly raise you, he did what he could to guide you; he looked out for you, spent time with you, and did what he could to make you happy.

God is your Coach

He pushed you and let you fail. He inspired you and gave you a roadmap to success. He brought you together with others and taught you how to be a team.

God is the Sun

We cannot touch the sun, but we sense its effects. Without it there is no life. Its very existence provides for a relatively perfect temperature to enjoy our lives and be able to grow and thrive.

God is Nature

While some people look to nature as an all-encompassment of the divine, they are on the right track, but they fall short; nature is the imprint of God's design. Mother Earth is magnificent in her beauty, complexity and providence. She not only makes life possible, but she gives us countless avenues to explore and a bounty of wondrous discoveries.

God is a Stranger

She is the person who helped you somewhere along the way in life, and you may not even remember her name or face. Simply because you were a fellow human being with intrinsic value, she did something that made your day better or maybe even saved your life. She owed you nothing, yet she acted on your behalf with no desire for reward or compensation.

God is a Baby

A baby changes your life. With no obvious intentional act, a baby is the very embodiment of new life, hope, and possibilities. A baby puts you on notice that life is bigger than yourself. When you see that new distinct human, it is evident that life is both fragile and resilient. She is at the same time innocence and proof of a miraculous and meticulous plan. She gives you direction, responsibility, and capability. She renews your heart for the path ahead.

God is a First Date

She is someone you ought to want to impress with your best self while simultaneously not being too much into your own self. She is someone you should be intrigued to get to know and ideally hope to win. She represents the possibility of a future life. She is a test you need to pass on your best behavior, because in her lies meaning, love, and hope.

God is your Boss

He sets expectations and gives you opportunities. You interact on occasion, but he works in the background to facilitate what you do, even when you don't see it or always appreciate it. He ultimately holds you to account for your work and determines if you have earned a promotion. A good boss is just, wise, inspirational, and depends on your success.

God is the Janitor

Without him, you would live in filth and have a wretched existence, yet you rarely appreciate him for what he does for you. He does the job that many do not want or cannot do. He probably deserves more thanks and respect than is usually afforded him.

God is your Mother

She bore you, and you are a piece of her. She loves you unconditionally but knows you have to choose your own path. She always listens and always keeps a place for you in her heart.

God is your Father

He provides for you, protects you, and teaches you. He knows you will one day leave him to start your own family and life and hopes you always take his words with you - that you are an accurate reflection of him and that people rejoice in his name.

God is your Friend

He is true and steadfast. Even when you are apart, you feel and live a connection. He forgives. He helps. He has your back. He gives you refuge. He makes you a better person and brings joy.

Consequently, God is You

No, you are not a deity, but God works and lives through you: in your words, in your deeds and in your potential - in your relationships and interactions with the world around you. God is not a metaphor, even if that is what it seems as written above. God is very real and is ever-present in His creation. So, if you are looking for God (or are doubtful He exists), you need only seek in any of these directions in a truly tangible way. Those who are apt to dismiss for lack of proof, I submit are not honestly desirous of discovering truth. God cannot be found through scientific experiment or mathematical equation. Proof of the non-existence of God is not that evil or suffering exist. In a world absent tribulation, how many would actually seek to know and please God?

So, if you still do not feel formally acquainted, go ahead and take the first step to make an introduction. You will know Him soon enough. 

Dear Alexandra and the Class of 2024

To be free to choose the life of your dreams - what an adventure! First, some words of advice for the world out there:

Beware of professors who try to tell you what to think, rather than how to think for yourself.

It is hard for good people to understand the minds of bad people, but evil, greed, cowardice, and malice do exist.  

It can take years to build a reputation, and only seconds to lose it.

Remember what you learned about God and the teachings of Jesus, because the world will try to make you forget and even deny.

Surround yourself with good people.

There is nothing authentic about being a follower of popularity.

We all change over time. Pursue endeavors you would not have thought of while remaining true to yourself.

Have expectations of others. When you are clear about these, some will rise to meet them, while others will fall away.

Call your mom and dad.

Identify your values, and write them down somewhere.

Take care of your body; the habits you form on your own will be either great assets or unfortunate liabilities.

Live in confidence and you will display confidence.

Keep your word, as it is one thing that you can control, and nothing can replace trust.

Do things that are difficult.

The world will tell you that up is down and black is white; being in the minority does not make you wrong. Seek and stand for truth.

Be able to see both sides of an issue, and be open to a third possibility.

Watch your back; the evil prey upon the weak and unsuspecting.

Believing it can be done is the first step to success.

Find your voice, and use it for something good.

Be mindful of habits and choices that become addictions, because addictions can run (and ruin) your life.

Work to be someone who lives for someone other than yourself.

Show up for other people, and not just for the good times.

Don’t ever look down on people; treat everyone with dignity.

Integrity is what you do when no one is looking.

Give people a reason to believe in you, to choose you, and to remember you.

Use your life to create, rather than to destroy.

Travel for perspective over a tan.

Much of the madness and perplexities of this world can be explained in referencing your Bible, reading a history book, traveling abroad, speaking to elders, and/or following the money.

Life does not allow you to plan everything, but just as a bird builds a nest, there are actions you can and should take today that will make the life you imagine possible.

America and the world need you. It’s your job to figure out why and how.

Get out and walk.

Don't pray for lighter loads - rather, stronger shoulders.

Mark's Guide to Unplanned Adventures in Travel

There are all sorts of ways and reasons to travel, and the road to becoming a world traveler may be different for everyone. As in cooking, it is important first to do it with family or friends, learn how to follow a recipe, and start with the basics. Your first foray into cooking might not be a Baked Alaska, nor should your first journey be a solo trek through the Alaskan wilderness.

That being said, once you are ready to travel the world and do it for some extended period of time, the unplanned adventure can be a worthwhile and important component in discovering the world. There have been great world explorers, ranging from Ferdinand Magellan to Anthony Bourdain, and it must be noted that preparation and planning are absolutely necessary - even if the lenses of time or television appear to make roaming the planet either ridiculously unattainable or an outing of thoughtless whimsy. (It should be noted that both the aforementioned succumbed to untimely demises while traveling.)

Sorry for getting a bit dark there, but you should know there are certainly dangers to world travel, and - just as in life - preparation and a sober outlook lead to some of the best roads. What I intend to show is that with a reasonable amount of experience and preparations, traveling at length with a relatively open itinerary can lead to adventures of a lifetime. You cannot plan everything - nor should you. I do not care for the word "wanderlust," because it implies simply a lust for wandering - aimlessly, perhaps. True adventures of any merit require a bit more.

Let a goal or interest guide - but not define - you. 

Is your passion art, food, history, architecture...? Is your goal to write a book or battle poverty? Use these interests to fuel your travel. Perhaps you are a lover of music, and you book flights to Vienna, Prague, and Berlin. Give yourself some added time in case you learn of a symphony in Zurich or a festival in Copenhagen. Stroll the hometown of Mozart or visit an exhibit dedicated to Strauss. However, leave yourself open to where these experiences take you. You may meet someone with a similar passion. It may not result in a lasting friendship, but it could take you to a locals' favorite late-night jazz session. I once went to Nijmegen, Holland, because it was the birthplace of Eddie Van Halen and had some of the best fried fish in my life. Something familiar can lead to something unexpected, but you have to be open to the possibilities.

Recognize your life is in God's hands; otherwise, you could just be wandering aimlessly.

Recognizing a higher power - or even accepting that death catches us all, so you might as well refuse to live in fear of it - is sublimely freeing and empowering. Walking confidently in a direction in which you do not know what you will find is in itself a genuine act of discovery. The added bonus of allowing God to be your tour guide is like meditation, only you end up somewhere different than where you started. Believing God is with you gives courage to journey where others (or you yourself) would never think to go.

Pay attention to cues and clues: personal suggestions, events, invitations.

When you open your mind and your schedule, this is where you stretch your traveling legs. Have you ever thought that in the past, had you chosen Option B over Option A, life would have been vastly (or at least recognizably) different? In world travel, there are entire alphabets of optional alternative realities every day. Think of a board game in which you have instructions from cards you pick or take steps from the roll of the dice. Yet there are always choices. Pop into a pub and chat with the bartender, take personal recommendations, watch the local news, consider an event you see on a flier in a bookstore - look for options as clues in the grand mystery of your travel adventure. 

I chose to volunteer in Poland in 2023, where I met another American named Ryan. He succumbed to my invitations to visit a local craft brewpub, and I joined him in attending a women's handball match. As it turned out we were both in Romania at the same time later in the trip and got together for a road trip. He later joined me volunteering in Turkey and invited me to meet him in Paris, as his friend had a hotel room there for a tennis tournament. Then we drove to Bordeaux and drank wine along the way in the Loire Valley. There was no itinerary for this ahead of time for me. And a lot of it was pretty awesome.    

Don't be afraid to backtrack; sometimes, going back helps you get to the next place.

Obviously, we all go back to places we love or with which we have familiarity, comfort, or affinity. In 2015-16, I went on a very long journey, and my intention was to completely circle the globe. My trip began in San Diego, continued west to Hawaii, ventured into various parts of southeast Asia, eventually made it to Africa and then Europe. The furthest accomplished in that westward trajectory was Crubyhill, Ireland, and my trip took me back east to the Philippines before heading east back to California. Backtracking east to Tacloban, Philippines allowed me to cement some friendships and go about learning how to lead large feedings in that country for years to come. Going back to the Philippines also led to so much more, and I am certain this is an ongoing expedition.

Talk to strangers.

Yes, the opposite of what your mother taught you. Now, I have a theory: there certainly are bad people in this world who are out there ready to take advantage of you (and worse.) The odds are that these people are going to talk to you first - or at least put themselves in the situation to meet you. Hence, keeping your wits about you, if you initiate the exchange, it is less likely that you are the target. Yes, putting your trust in strangers can be dangerous; I am not saying throw caution to the wind and engage in stupid risks. However, meeting people while traveling provides you with some of the best experiences and unexpected outcomes. Be safe, have an escape route, but do allow yourself the benefit of meeting some of the best humans you otherwise would have missed. World travel is unadorned without the splendor of making acquaintances; how dreary and incomplete to make the journey and miss the human story.

Ramadan dinner in Gaziantep, Turkey

Try some things you have never done before or never thought you would do.

Some people travel to get away, enjoy luxury, or relax. True world travelers may do that too, but we have an inquisitiveness that needs to be sated which often requires daring beyond our comfort zone. Eschewing the challenge to ever push boundaries ensures that there will never be true discovery.

Recognize momentum.

Momentum can be good or bad, so try to discern the difference. With experience comes wisdom, and with wisdom comes discernment. There is instinct, that is inborn in animals not exclusive of ourselves. Travel can take you in many directions if you allow it. Just as in life, even the bad decisions allow you to be a better human. Momentum in travel allows you to get from point A to point B - not exactly as in crossing a bridge, but as in captaining a sailboat. You have a direction; however, you must contend with the winds and the currents; along with the sails, the rudder, your own strength and intuition, the voyage takes you somewhere you could have never gotten on the bridge.

Be completely open to changing course. A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.

Similar to the aforesaid theory on backtracking, an adventure can take you to innumerable destinations, and returning does not necessarily equal regression, but changing course should be the actual opposite of wandering aimlessly. Changing course may be admitting failure or that you were wrong. It could simply be a conscious choice to make a decision that does not comport with previous decisions. Perhaps you were on this tour of classical music venues in Europe, yet you are not feeling fulfilled, and you ascertain in an instant that your energies are better suited volunteering to build a school in Nepal. Who is to say that change of course is wrong? And how would you ever know if you didn't seek that answer? Unplanned adventures require this kind of flexibility.

Soak in culture like a sponge.

No, there is nothing necessarily unplanned about taking in culture, but how you allow these experiences to change your mind, your heart, and even your identity is absolutely the key to next-level tourism. You don't even have to be a seasoned traveler! Just don't be stubborn and do let go of your preconceived determinations. You don't have to compromise your values; you just have to have the humility to be able see life through a different lens. Furthermore, no one is asking that you adopt a new culture - only appreciate it and see where it takes you.

Santo Niño celebration in Malitbog, Philippines

Don't plan everything.

Planning is not bad, but sticking rigidly to plans seldom allows for what you could not have planned. One more comparison to life - surprise, you cannot plan everything. There are trips in which it greatly helps to have a solid itinerary. I went to Alaska, and my friend and tripmate Kim insisted that we book certain excursions months in advance. She was right! In fact, looking back, I believe I could have planned even better. Absolutely, preparation is key. All I am saying is to allow and embrace the unexpected. Heck, if the circumstances don't leave you stuck in the wilderness without a way back to civilization (this did not occur), I say seek the unexpected. Just maybe have a backup plan.

Go some places because of people.

If you are lucky, you have someone you can visit where you want to travel, so definitely take advantage of those opportunities, as friends can make some of the best tour guides (assuming you are invited). Suppose you don't know anyone in another state or country. Do you have any work friends from another country who enjoy sharing stories about that place? For a time, I worked with a few people from Colombia, and I was intrigued. It just so happened that I visited my world traveler uncle Sam in the hospital in California before deciding on my next trip abroad. While my mom was out of the room, I asked him about Colombia, and he spoke about it in glowing terms. The determination was made. Even if you don't know someone in a given place, having a link to someone in your life could be a great key to purpose in travel.

Rent a car, take a walk, use public transportation.

On my first trip to Hawaii at age 5, the only complete family vacation I remember, we had a limousine transport us from the airport to Waikiki. What a great memory it was, especially since that was way out of character for how my family gets places! In the decades since, I have often wondered about those for whom luxury vehicles are the norm while getting around while traveling. And what a blessing it has been to have to walk and find various forms of transportation to make world travel affordable, because there's nothing quite like packing into (or outside) the back of a jeepney in the Philippines, riding on the back of a stranger's motorcycle in Turkey, or even participating in the morning subway commute in Tokyo. Not only are you being economical, but sharing in the locals' everyday experience is in itself a great travel experience. Furthermore, walking and renting a car give you opportunities to explore to your heart's content and see things you never would in the back of a limo.

Learn some of the local language and history.

Travel can be somewhat self-centered. We love tasting the exotic food, posting the photos at famous locations, and reclaiming some sanity from an escape of your home life or work life. Yes, fulfill yourself in the ways you need to and celebrate your escape. Just consider that travel should not be only about what it can do for you. A little bit of preparation and humility can go a long way when you take the time to learn about local customs and simple phrases in the local language. 

Learn about some history while you are there, and you may get some priceless context. Driving through the Philippines, passing by the town of Balangiga, my friend Niño proclaimed, "hey Mark, that's where we killed a bunch of Americans!" That didn't make me feel the safest, but I learned a bit of US history I may not have otherwise. A couple of years later, I returned to Balangiga for a historic event in which our country returned some stolen church bells, because I had been educated on that history.

Return of the Balangiga Bells in 2018 (Samar, Philippines)