Lessons From Europe

When I first got on the plane, I never imagined what this holiday would bring. I was craving time to unwind after a long semester and time for exploration and adventure; however, while this trip was quite an adventure, it was far from relaxing.

Instead, we had long days walking through famous cities and small towns and dedicated this time to enhance our understanding of the world around us.

Thanks to With Locals, we dove deep into the culture of each city we entered. We connected with people from all walks of life, backgrounds, and ethnicities. Despite these differences, our tour guides eagerness to share their knowledge and our yearning to learn allowed for a trip that did so much more than relaxation ever could.

During my first trip to Europe, I made connections; connections with people, connections with history, and a revitalized connection with the Father after marveling at His creation. Through my galleries and captions, I ask that you note the number of times God was glorified by His children. Because what I found most fascinating about these cities was not seeing Michelangelo’s work in the Sistine Chapel or the David or the incredible ruins of the Colosseum, but that every time in history, God’s sovereignty was highlighted. It was highlighted by artists like Michelangelo, who made the Gospel the focal point of one of the most famous buildings in the world. It was highlighted by architects who dedicated their time to building a church next to every government building in Rome. It was highlighted by a cross in the center of the Colosseum that wiped away all the violent history of the arena. Finally, it was highlighted by the people we met who marvel at God’s creation to such an extent that they dedicated their careers to sharing it with others.

I was expecting and hoping for a trip filled with relaxation, but I got something much better.