A few months back, I was at Grand Canyon. It was grand, to say the least. But it was exactly like the pictures. And it was way too crowded. Just a few days ago, though, we found ourselves at Canyonlands National Park in Utah. What a great surprise. It was empty, and I can’t figure out why. It had all the beauty of Grand Canyon, and the added bonus of being right next to Arches National Park. After about an hour or two at the park, I found this spot at the edge of the canyon, at this overlook called ‘Grand View Point.’ Good name…
In light of such a magnificent, expansive, beautiful, deep, incomprehensible work of art that was this view, I couldn’t help but worship God. And when I say worship, what I really mean is call out to Him, sing to Him, and then sit still. This little tree couldn’t have been more than
10 inches tall. It must have just sprouted this spring, right? Wrong. It turns out that plants out in the desert take a loooong time to grow. Like decades, or even centuries. This little tree probably started out 5 to 10 years ago. This expansive ‘high desert’ as they call it, is home to so many plants and animals that trust. They start out, do their work, and don’t give much thought to how long things will take. What a thought… what a way to live life. I dwelled on these words from Jesus…
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matt 6.25-33
In light of such a magnificent, expansive, beautiful, deep, incomprehensible work of art that was this view, I couldn’t help but worship God. And when I say worship, what I really mean is call out to Him, sing to Him, and then sit still. This little tree couldn’t have been more than
10 inches tall. It must have just sprouted this spring, right? Wrong. It turns out that plants out in the desert take a loooong time to grow. Like decades, or even centuries. This little tree probably started out 5 to 10 years ago. This expansive ‘high desert’ as they call it, is home to so many plants and animals that trust. They start out, do their work, and don’t give much thought to how long things will take. What a thought… what a way to live life. I dwelled on these words from Jesus…"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matt 6.25-33
Our God is incredible, full of wonders, and he really does take care of the small stuff. Even that old baby tree at 9,000 feet in an obscure national park that Anne Marie happened to sit next to just a few days ago...
1 comment:
Wow..that's a great verse. It really indentified with it because a few weeks back I was struggling with that, worrying. Now I've realized that I don't have to. God is wonderful and he provides for everything I need. I can really testify about that. Thanks for reminding me of His love for me and His provision.
And about your trip: great pics. I wish I could have gone with you.
Post a Comment