Is leisure travel wrong?

Question:

Dear brother,

Do you think there is anything wrong with a Christian traveling for leisure? When traveling it is impossible to be involved in your local congregation's work. Also, it is very hard to evangelize to anyone when you are never in one place very long and cannot form relationships. I almost feel guilty every time I go on vacation because I feel like I should be doing more for the church instead of playing around. In fact, I feel like this almost every time I take time for recreation in my life. Could you give me some insight?

Thank you, sir.

Answer:

That people can take time off to relax can be seen in Christ's own life. "And He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while." (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves" (Mark 6:31). Jesus did take breaks, though they were not often long.

Both Jesus' and Paul's journeys did not often leave them in one place for long. They traveled because they were spreading the Gospel, but it needs to be pointed out it doesn't require staying in one place for a long time in order to teach.

I know people who hold Bible studies on the cruises that they take. I also know several who started Bible studies while traveling or camping. I attend services of churches wherever I am and use it as an opportunity to encourage brethren in other areas. It is not unusual for me to be asked to teach a lesson while I'm in the area. We do the same when we know a preacher is in our area. An example of this is Paul teaching in Troas while journeying to Jerusalem (Acts 20). It wasn't a leisure trip, but it shows travelers stopping at a local congregation during their journey.

You are a Christian all your life. You represent the Lord wherever you are. Yes, when you are located somewhere, you are expected to join a congregation and be a part of the work but this doesn't mean you can't visit other places and meet brethren in other regions.

Response:

Thank you very much for your response. Your answers have helped me a lot over the years.

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