As I sat at the Grand Canyon, we were asked to reflect on what the Grand Canyon said to us. I felt the usual minuteness and the presence and love of God, but I also felt some similarities to my own life. I thought that maybe I could have another perspective. Could I be a Grand Canyon?
The Grand Canyon started out at the bottom of an ocean, even the bottom dwellers were above. I am sure that the angels looked into the canyon and saw only the ocean bottom if they even looked that far. However, God saw the beauty that lay ahead for this bottom of the ocean but it would have to withstand many hardships.
One of the first chapters in the life of the canyon was a volcano. I can compare the volcano to "world rocking" events in my own life. Could the lava be my reactions to those events that changed my world? Could the lava be symbolic to anger, bitterness, and lack of forgiveness?
As I remember, the ranger spoke of the river pushing up against the lava. I see that river as God's love. The river continued to push against the lava until it broke through. Does my lava hold back love? Will I allow God's loving river to break through my lava dam to flow freely?
The water eroded the rocks and made the beautiful crevices in the canyon. Also within the water, there were many stones that caused the ridges in the rock. Could the stones be patience, integrity, honesty, and kindness? Will I allow those stones to permanently etch upon my own life?
Although the stones were small, I am sure it was somewhat "painful" to be etched upon. Will I allow uncomfortable circumstances to etch character into my life? The river brought beauty to the canyon and made it more interesting.
The next step was the meeting of the two earth plates. As I understand it, the two plates met, maybe the lower plate is my selfishness and the higher plate is God's love. The lower plate submitted to the will of the higher plate, which caused the elevation of the canyon. Again, I would imagine that the collision was painful and earth shattering but without the elevation, there would be no Grand Canyon.
The Grand Canyon is such an inspiration to everyone that comes into contact with it. Their lives are permanently changed having been there. Could I be an inspiration to others? The beauty of the canyon lies deep within. They are not mountains that you can readily see from the surface. You can only really appreciate the beauty, as you get closer to the "heart" of the canyon. Isn't it like that with us? Our beauty lies within but you have to be close to our heart to see it.
The ranger also spoke of the river at the base of the canyon. He told us that the settlers originally thought the river to be 6' wide. As they got closer to the river, they saw the enormity. The actual size was closer to 300'. God is that way to me. He is always enormous, but the closer I get, I see it more clearly. When I distance myself, He only appears to be small.
In conclusion, the Grand Canyon changes continuously. When it rains, the weaker rocks or dirt fall off into the river. Do we allow the rain to continually help us to grow and change? Isn't it interesting that the weaker portions fall into the river at the bottom never to be seen again? This continually renews the canyon.
I hope you can see the symbolism in the Grand Canyon and the creation of our lives. Can we be a Grand Canyon if we allow God's love and purpose to rush through and withstand volcanoes of life and stone-life lessons? I pray that as I experience life's lessons that I can be an inspiration to others, and that other's lives will have been enriched by knowing me. I pray that I will continue to grow to be a "grand" person formed with life by the hand of God.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jo Ann Brown is a blessed mom with two great boys, Brian and Danny. I live in Terre Haute, Indiana with my family and two dogs Lucky and Chelsea. Jo Ann can be contacted via email at blessedwtwoboys@yahoo.com
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