A Grand Canyon Sunrise

“A God wise enough to create me and the world I live in is wise enough to watch out for me” – Philip Yancey

Last August, my family arose early to watch the sunrise in the Grand Canyon. We hurried from our hotel and found our positions on the south rim by 5:00 am. I had been awaiting this moment for almost a year. The time seemed to move slowly. I fidgeted and kept checking my watch: 5:10, 5:20, 5:30. At 5:40 am the sky began to brighten and I knew that the sun would soon crest the canyon walls. I could hear others chattering excitedly. I found myself holding my breath. And then it happened; the sun rose over the rocks, bright, powerful and magnificent. It was a glorious site, watching the sun’s rays spread over the landscape, lighting up the canyon.

As I watched the sun rise higher in the sky, I couldn’t help but think of how impatient I had been and how often I focus on getting to the end, the epitome of an event or journey. As much as I try to be patient, I find myself always wanting to know how things will turn out. But life isn’t like a movie or a novel. I cannot fast-forward to the end of the story, learn the results and then go back in time to enjoy the moments.

Watching the sun light up the sky reminded me that God is the light in my life. I know that God has my back, and that He has a plan for me. He is all powerful and if I just trust and believe, everything will be okay. My desire to be in control sometimes overpowers my trust and faith, making me feel uneasy rather than at peace. As the sun washed over the canyon, filling it with bright light, I, too, felt a wash of light fill my heart with the peace of knowing that being in God’s presence is all that I need.