The Not-So-Ordinary Events of Life
I just finished a 9-day journey through the first 187 miles of Grand Canyon. A magnificent group of people assembled at Lee’s Ferry, clamored aboard two rafts, and set off on an adventure of a lifetime. We found ourselves at science camp on the third night. This camp is situated close to what is known as Crash Canyon and the confluence of the Colorado and Little Colorado Rivers. Crash Canyon got its name from a significant tragedy that happened in June of 1956.
Two commercial planes were flying over the Grand Canyon. The pilots of each aircraft decided to drop to about 21,000 feet to provide a closer view of the canyon for the passengers. Unfortunately, they were not aware of each other. They came into contact with each other and crashed into Grand Canyon. Much of the fuselage was discovered in what is now called Crash Canyon. This disastrous misfortune resulted in the deaths of all 128 people aboard both planes. (For more details on the disaster, see Paula’s blog from last year)
Monsoon rains occasionally still wash wreckage from these planes down into the area of science camp and can be found by those who camp there. This was the case on our journey. We were gathering in the circle of chairs to discuss the day and hear from geologist, Dr. Snelling of Answers in Genesis. One of the guests came to the circle carrying a football-sized piece of twisted metal from one of the planes. He placed the crinkled metal on a chair and we all considered the significance of that fateful event. However, there was one guest who took particular interest in the object set before us. He stepped forward and carefully picked up the piece of wreckage. He addressed us all with a curious look of somberness and joy. We all seemed to know to quiet down and listen. He proceeded to tell us that his parents and sister were scheduled to be on one of those flights but were bumped to another flight. Their inconvenience nearly 61 years ago saved their lives. He had come that close to becoming an orphan. Additionally, it was his sister who had introduced him to the creation science that defended the truth of Scripture and led him to a deepened faith and passion for God’s word. We were stunned!
Our days are filled with moments that seem ordinary and sometimes even inconvenient. However, it may be those very moments that God uses to guide and direct us to the depths of His love. We never know when the ordinary becomes the not-so-ordinary. These are not arbitrary winds of fate, but the actions of a sovereign God who loves us and knows us, for He created us.
Isaiah experienced this and was transformed in a moment. We read in Isaiah 6 that Isaiah went to the temple to do what he always did as a priest of Israel. However, his ordinary routine was different this time. God’s presence filled the temple and shook the doorposts. Isaiah was broken as he saw his own sinfulness against the holiness of the creator of the universe. “Woe is me!” he cried. God cleansed him of his sin and then announced He had a job to be done. Isaiah quickly volunteered without knowing any details of what was needed.
Today may seem like an ordinary day, but with God in control, the ordinary becomes extraordinary! Embrace the day in Jesus name and be ready for the King of Kings to rock your world.
Praiseallujiah!
Jon
