Traveling Alone
Wednesday, October 29th, 2025 | Uncategorized | Comments Off on Traveling Alone
One summer long ago, a lanky bearded bicyclist visited our small town, his latest stop in a quest to pedal the U.S. coast to coast. Often accepting the hospitality of residents along the way, he had pitched his tent in the backyard of family friends.
Curious neighborhood kids treated him with the wonder and reverence due a New World-era explorer. He patiently spread his map on the ground and traced his route, stoking their young imaginations with adventurous stories of the sights and people he’d experienced, and the wonders still ahead.
The kids peppered him with questions: When will you reach California? What if your bike breaks down? Are you ever scared?
Asked about “the worst part” of his trip, he answered: “It’s traveling alone. I see all these beautiful sights, and I miss not having someone to turn to and say, ‘Wow. Do you see that?’”
That emotion is a metaphor of sorts for human life. We live our lives surrounded by wondrous distractions – people we love and who love us, memorable experiences and treasured possessions. In actuality, however, each of us has a tendency to travel alone.
We may be surrounded by people and things that distract and comfort us, but we often exist alone with our anxieties, regrets and inner critics. Unless we really share, no one outside ourselves really knows our innermost worries, foibles and failings. We travel alone in this respect, and we meet our final breath the same way – alone in our thoughts.
So, it should be of great comfort to all of us that “traveling alone” isn’t necessary, because we each have access to a companion who truly knows, understands and, most importantly, accepts us as we are. He is a constant and permanent companion who can comfort, absolve, inspire and direct us.
That entity is Jesus Christ. Accept Him as your Lord and Savior, and He will instill you with his Spirit. It won’t mean your problems are over, but a relationship in Christ means you will no longer face this life regretfully, lonely and alone. He will have your back – here and in the hereafter. All you need do is turn and meet Him.
– Joe Roybal
First Baptist Church Tellico Village (FBCTV) is a welcoming congregation of believers wrestling with the challenges of life and family, and seeking renewal, comfort and direction. Pastors Dave Talley and Kem Lindsay invite you to worship with us in person or online Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Visit FBCTV.org for more information.
Pastor Dave’s Prayer: “Lord, as Your word teaches us, You are the “God of all comfort,” comforting all who look to You so that we can also comfort others in their time of need. So, Lord help all who read this to turn to You, trust You, and find that You keep your promises, promises like “yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, You are with me.” Thanks for being with us, even in the darkest moments. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!”
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF TELLICO VILLAGE
205 Chota Road, Loudon, TN 37774
(865) 408-0110 | www.fbctv.org
