With the whole world is experiencing the COVID virus lockdown, I felt a compelling need to reminisce my exciting August, 2019 rafting journey and share it with others, if only as a refreshing vicarious experience. And too given the challenges of the pandemic and economic fallout, it is a powerful reminder that the Creator of the universe is a God of love and redemption. As you tumble with me through the rapids in the following reflections, I hope you enjoy and are encouraged!
…After a seemingly short but invigorating first day, we camped by rapids at River Mile 209.8 on Sunday. We learned to put up our cots for the night and no one bothered with tents as it was stifling hot and the night sky proved to be a far grander canopy!
Following a great fajita dinner, we washed in the murky river and prepared for the quickly setting sun. Despite the oppressive heat even throughout the night, with all the activity of the day sleep came readily. As the stars appeared in the black canyon sky, the brilliance of the constellations punctuated by shooting stars was breathtaking. I could not help but whisk back tears of joy to experience God’s amazing universe from a mile down in the Grand Canyon. During the night I awoke to an iridescent glow that made me wonder, “is it morning already?” As I looked around at the large circular glow above the canyon wall the moon began to peek out from behind the towering wall – checking my watch it was 3:45. Though a mere half-moon it was stunning in brightness and I could not take my eyes off it. Softly whispering my favorite hymn, The Love of God, I fell into a peaceful slumber:
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made;
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
When I reawakened to the light of the morning sun, the moon was far distant, tiny by comparison to its early morning canyon rising. The perspective of the sky from a mile down in the canyon is profoundly unique as the walls of the canyon narrow one’s view while the dark wilderness promotes a seemingly infinite view into the universe. After dressing, washing again in the river, packing up our gear, enjoying coffee/tea during a short ministry time about the Genesis creation account, and consuming a hearty breakfast, by the time the sun rose over the canyon wall we were ready for day two on the river.
The second day we experienced bigger, longer rapids that everyone young and old welcomed with excited shouts and whoops of enthusiasm!
Ducking the rapids!
In the Waterfall Grotto
We continued the river journey to the next camp once again with rapids providing a natural lullaby for stressless sleep. This last night we pulled ashore by Separation Canyon at River Mile 229.5, the very place where John Wesley Powell’s expedition in August 28, 1869 disputed whether to continue their grueling three-month-long journey down the Green and Colorado rivers or to hike out Separation Canyon. Although provisions were gone, Powell urged his team to continue downriver, but three of the men walked away never to be seen again.
A stop along the river was a spectacular hidden waterfall at Travertine Canyon that blithely flowed from a grotto down several winding rock levels to reach the river. We climbed rope ladders to reach the amazing grotto at the top, cooled invitingly by the falls’ origination point. We frolicked there for some time before descending the rope ladders aided by the stronger and abler hikers. Everyone climbed safely down to return to the rafts.
River View from the Grotto
Powell and the remaining crew left a boat behind encouraging the departing hikers to turn back and rejoin them if they heard three rifle shots indicating they had successfully navigated the intimidating rapids. The shots were fired and though the party waited for the three to return, they did not; ironically, these were the last major rapids as Powell’s exhibition was close to the canyon end. We commemorated the event just 2 days ahead of the 150th anniversary.
Panoramic view of rocky camp site on Day 2; Separation Canyon to the right with wispy clouds.
…We slept well that night after a very satisfyingly active day on the river. The canyon walls were so closed in around the camp, we never saw the moon rise that night.
Separation Canyon – A Spiritual Lesson
Separation Canyon at Dusk
At Separation Canyon as we contemplated the Powell team split up to draw a spiritual parallel, I thought about the river as the restorative power of Christ who provided for our redemption despite the judgment of God in the great flood. This wonderful community of believers had experienced together the great joy of being immersed in His eternal salvation as we traversed the rapids. But many people have chosen their own paths, separating themselves from the love of God by going a different way perhaps out of pride, or self-righteousness, or love of the flesh as our ancient ancestors before the flood. Once the door of the Ark was shut by God, they were lost, drowned in the great flood. And so too those who choose their own “separation canyon” will be lost for eternity after death. We who know that the river of eternal life is Christ, who proclaimed “I am the way, the truth, and the life”, must share with others the way of our Lord as He admonished in the great commission.
The lesson of the Grand Canyon is that the God of judgment is also the God of redemption.
The lesson of the Grand Canyon is that the God of judgement is also the God of redemption. Out of His great love, we have salvation through Christ, our living water. Colossians 2:8 admonishes us, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.”
The Canyon Mission Multiplied
The Grand Canyon is a majestic God-ordained object lesson for the world to witness the truth of His Word.
Visited by thousands from all around the world every year, the Grand Canyon is a majestic God-ordained object lesson for the world to witness the truth of His Word. The canyon walls expose the revelation of the global flood’s judgment for the world to observe. Yet, it is God’s love that provided this awe-inspiring natural documentation to reveal the true story behind the Grand Canyon mystery. The faithful like Canyon Ministries and each of us privileged to experience this amazing rafting adventure and to learn its message of redemption are compelled to share it with others.
Sheryl in the canyon
I am grateful for Canyon Ministries to whom I was introduced many years ago when I discovered their book, Grand Canyon, a Different View, in my first visit to the Grand Canyon South Rim. I cherished their perspective all these years until I could experience rafting the Grand Canyon with Canyon Ministries! It is now my privilege and responsibility to share this life-changing lesson with others. I praise the Lord for the enriching lessons of the Grand Canyon rafting adventure. I hope you too will know the joy of immersion in the river of life and perhaps one day too, the transformative experience of rafting the Grand Canyon with Canyon Ministries. Until then, keep safe in the knowledge of His provision, protection, and peace.
By Sheryl Dawson
Excerpt from Grand Canyon Rafting Story, 2019
Originally Published on www.celebratingchrist.com
Related posts:
Grand Canyon Rafting Story: Journey into Scientific & Spiritual Truth – Part I
Grand Canyon Rafting Story: Journey into Scientific & Spiritual Truth – Part II
Grand Canyon Rafting Story: Journey into Scientific & Spiritual Truth – Part III
Rafting the Grand Canyon, 2019
Reminiscing My Summit Journey
Canyon Ministries
