Grand

I question the truth in the quote, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”  Standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, I couldn’t resist taking pictures from every angle, attempting to capture the different shades and angles of the light streaming through the trees, against the formed rock structures, not to mention the textures and colors across this massive canyon.  All along the walking paths above these majestic rock formations, I couldn’t stop looking for that perfect picture that would capture the grandness of it all!  I bet that was the first word that came to mind, grand, when naming this attraction.  But the disappointment came when I viewed the pictures later, hoping to relive those moments of witnessing the Grand Canyon.  I desperately wanted to hold onto that vision that was before me.   I was disappointed – there were no pictures that captured the grandness of the colors, the massive depths, the different hues and streams of sunlight that had been spread before my eyes.   Contemplating on that, I think of my interactions with Jesus, and the many times I see His grandness with both my eyes and heart.  I could change the saying to “To witness is worth a thousand words.”  I have witnessed His grandness many times in my life, through both the little and sometimes life-changing encounters that happen in my day.  But when I attempt to share that encounter with someone else or recreate it in my mind, it fades; and I am left empty knowing it wasn’t the same as the actual experience.  I know I shared a moment of His grandeur, but my mind can’t seem to hold onto it, regardless of how hard I try.  So, I sit, I wait, and I pray for another grand encounter just one more time, and then another and another.  What happens when we experience God’s grandness in both the quiet and the busyness of our day?  Regardless of how we can recall that spiritual moment, it is in  moments like those that change us, knitting our relationship closer and closer to our faith.  It gives us reason to desire more, to read more, to spend time focusing on what grand truly means in our own lives.  God is grand.  His love for us can only be described as grand.  During this week, let us strive to be grand in our thoughts,  recognizing and praying for that perfect picture every moment we spend with Him.

“For we did not follow cleverly concocted fables when we made known to you the power and return of our Lord Jesus Christ; no, we were eyewitnesses of his grandeur.”  2 Peter 1:16