Our second stop among America’s national parks took us to one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks: the Grand Canyon.
Although I had visited the Grand Canyon once before, this trip was completely different. There is something special about experiencing a place through someone else’s eyes. Watching my son stand on the rim for the very first time made it feel as though I was seeing it again for the first time myself.
We began at Mather Point, taking in one of the most breathtaking views either of us had ever seen. From there, we spent the next couple of hours walking portions of both the Rim Trail and the Bright Angel Trail. Every turn seemed to reveal another incredible perspective. Looking across the canyon from the rim was unforgettable, but hiking even a short distance down the Bright Angel Trail gave us a whole new appreciation for its size and beauty.
Somewhere along the Rim Trail, my son may or may not have hit a golf ball out over the canyon. I can’t officially confirm that happened, but if you happen to find a lone golf ball a thousand feet below the rim someday, you’ll have your answer.
Pictures simply don’t do it justice. No matter how many photographs you’ve seen, nothing prepares you for standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon. Layer upon layer of colorful rock stretches for miles in every direction. The canyon reaches depths that are difficult to comprehend, and the horizon seems almost endless.
One of the things that surprised me most was the quiet. Thousands of people were there the day we visited, yet there was an unusual stillness. Conversations became whispers. Cameras clicked. Families stood together in silence. Everyone seemed to recognize they were looking at something far greater than themselves.
That was the sermon. The Grand Canyon has a way of putting life into perspective. Standing on its rim reminds us that we are not the center of the universe. There is a Creator infinitely greater than His creation, and we are invited to worship Him.
David understood that feeling.
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? Psalm 8:3-4
Standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, those words take on fresh meaning. David wasn’t questioning his worth. He was overwhelmed by God’s greatness. The same God who spoke the universe into existence knows our names, hears our prayers, and loved us enough to send His Son to die for our sins.
One of the verses God has used repeatedly in my own life is John 3:30: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” It has become one of my life’s verses because it captures the heart of what it means to follow Christ. Places like the Grand Canyon help me live that verse. It is difficult to stand before something so magnificent and leave thinking more highly of yourself. Instead, your thoughts naturally turn upward. The greatness of creation reminds us of the even greater Creator. The more I see His majesty, the less concerned I become with my own.
That realization produces genuine humility. Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It is seeing God for who He truly is. The more clearly we see His greatness, the less occupied we become with ourselves.
Our world constantly tells us to promote ourselves, build our platform, and make a name for ourselves. Scripture teaches something very different. The Christian life has never been about making much of ourselves. It has always been about making much of Christ.
That is why moments of awe are so valuable. Whether we are reading God’s Word, gathering with His people in worship, or standing before one of His masterpieces in creation, those moments remind us that life is much bigger than our own plans and ambitions. They lift our eyes from ourselves and fix them on the One who alone is worthy of our worship.
As my son and I made our way back along the trail, I found myself thanking God for much more than an unforgettable view. I thanked Him for the opportunity to experience it with my son and for the reminder that every breathtaking landscape ultimately points beyond itself to the greatness of its Creator.
The Grand Canyon is one of God’s masterpieces, but it is still only a glimpse of His glory. Long after I forget some of the details of our trip, I hope I never forget the sermon God preached that day.
The greater my view of God becomes, the more I stand in awe of Him … and the more everything else falls into its proper place.
Personal Reflection: When was the last time you simply stood in awe of God? Take a few moments today to read Psalm 8. Then thank the Lord that the God who created the heavens also knows you personally, loves you deeply, and invites you into a relationship with Him. Ask Him to give you a greater vision of His greatness and a heart that is quick to give Him all the glory.
Read the complete series
Part One – God Can Preserve What Time Cannot (Petrified Forest National Park)
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Part Six
Part Seven
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