My two weeks in Australia was wonderful! So much to see, people to meet, and family with whom I enjoyed the adventure. But what struck me was seeing things from a different viewpoint.
Being in the southern hemisphere really does that! Not only was it full summer there, but as you traveled further NORTH the hotter it got! It was more moderate to the south, and that took a bit of getting used to.
Then there was looking at the night sky. It was like being in another world! The stars were not even the same constellations for the most part and certainly there was nothing in their familiar places in the sky. But just because they were different didn't make them any less breath-taking! In fact, it was awe-inspiring to look up and see things differently while still being on the same planet.
One of the other startling differences in Australia was the friendliness of the people. Their assumption was always that we would be friendly and they could be at ease and even joke with people they just met. There was little of the tenseness that we have in our country when we meet people we don't know, and it was startling and refreshing. Even airport workers joked with us on the domestic flights!
Seeing the Great Barrier Reef from right above it as we snorkeled and soaring above the rain forest on the Sky Rail also gave new and exciting perspectives on this wondrous creation of Earth. What an experience!
And some things were the same - WiFi available, Uber as well as taxis in the cities, and sunny skies. Of course car travel was on the left side of the road which totally gives another perspective on driving through cities, but there was a feeling of being at home in Australia.
Seeing things from this new perspective reminds me that although we all live on the same planet there are many ways of experiencing the same life and the same creation. I am reminded that while we are all children of God we have different ways of sharing our faith and seeing what God has created. And, that gives me space to experience new things without being afraid of what it means.
I hope you follow your opportunities to see things in new ways so you too can be opened to the new things God has in store!
