Article by Ryan Robinette
Back in 2017 my new bride and I took a trip to the Grand Canyon as part of our magnificent honeymoon. We visited 6 national parks. We took in so much of God’s creation in such a short week and because all of them were well deserving of a multiple day stay, it almost seemed unfair that we only got to spend one day in each of these places. Although God created these things by just speaking them into formation, I think of the time and change which had to take place in order for such majestic images to be created. The Grand Canyon wasn’t formed in one day. It was the constant flow of water and crashing of rocks. Sometimes smooth days and sometimes rough days, but always something running through there to cause the land and rock to form the way they did. I would even say it wasn’t the power of the river that caused the formation of the Grand Canyon but the persistency of water pressing against the surfaces that caused it.
The same thing applies to us. The only thing that's different is what shapes us. Unlike the ever changing conditions that shape the Grand Canyon, we can rest assured that what shapes us never changes if we put our faith in Jesus Christ! Matthew 24:35 says “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away, and Hebrews 13:8 says “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” If we put our faith in Jesus Christ and submit our time to him, He will shape us just like the water shapes the rocks that form such beautiful creations. His word is the very recipe needed to mold our lives into the image of Christ. We can’t show up to church once a week and expect to have our life resemble Christ. We have to be persistent. We have to go to God’s word and we have to stay there. Cramming it all in on Sunday and skipping the rest of the week is not going to shape our hearts and minds. It all starts with a persistent prayer life. Matthew 7:7-8: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”
We can’t be afraid to talk to God and build a personal relationship with him. We have to seek God. We have to look for Him in our life, we have to want Him in our life, we have to ask Him to be right there with us at all times. And He will. We have to put in the time. Make Christ a part of your life every day. Read His word every single day. Even if it is just one verse.
I am convinced if we remain in God’s word and be persistent, we will be shaped into something beautiful just like the Grand Canyon. And, who knows it may just take someone’s breath away when they see God’s work in you! I once heard a quote that said “The mark of a man of God is God upon the man.” You will reap what you sow. If you put on the armor of God, which is His word, then the mark of God will shine bright on you and everyone will notice it. Let God mold your life by surrendering your faith to him today and becoming persistent in your studies and prayer. If God can shape something as big as the Grand Canyon with water, just imagine what He can do to your heart with His word!
Ryan is a graduate of King University and a native of Russell Co., VA. He and his lovely wife, Tabby faithfully serve at Bethel Baptist Church in Lebanon, VA and are the proud "parents" of two australian shepherds, Leo and Loki.