Grand Staircase Adventure
4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
God granted me a truly remarkable gift last week. It was my privilege to guide 37 5th-8th grade students (and 8 other adults) on a journey of geology and theology and adventure through the Grand Staircase. We hiked, explored, danced, and laughed within Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Zion Canyon for 4 days. The Grand Staircase is a massive geological feature left behind by the cataclysmic erosive power of the receding flood waters of the global flood of Genesis and subsequent weather events following the flood. Approximately 10,000 feet of sedimentary material was swept away from the Colorado Plateau leaving stair steps of sediment extending from Grand Canyon north to Bryce Canyon and beyond.
We began our adventure by floating for 15 miles on the Colorado River from the bottom of the Glenn Canyon Dam to Lee’s Ferry.
The next day was spent hiking 4 miles amidst the magnificent hoodoos (columns of sediment material resembling rock spires extending into the sky) of Bryce Canyon.
Our adventure continued in Zion Canyon the following day. We hiked 5 1/2 miles including the famous hike up to Angel’s Landing.
We concluded our wonderful trip on the North Rim of Grand Canyon.
We discussed and meditated upon the judgment and mercy of God as revealed in the canyons we explored. We heard God proclaim the depth of His personal love and passion for each of us. The students were challenged to begin to learn how to “see” the invisible qualities of God that are made plain within creation (Romans 1). They heard and know that they can fully trust the character and word of God!
One of the most significant messages creation announces to you today is that you matter to God. God provided room on the ark for any who would repent and join Noah. God has provided the resources we need in the post flood world. God has redeemed His people and remained true to His covenant (1 Corinthians 11:23-25). Our God redeems and restores because we are His portion (Deuteronomy 32:9) and He is ours (Psalm 73:26).
Praiseallujiah!
Jon
