The heart of the matter
I had watched many YouTube videos about “Antelope Canyon” while we were preparing for our trip to southern Utah in 2019. I was significantly impressed by what I saw, enough that I moved that destination to my top 3 destination priorities. I even found myself dreaming about it! So now we were finally making our way from the Grand Canyon up toward Page, which is right on the Utah and Arizona border.
The drive took us high up into the mountains, with beautiful pine trees and spots of snow left in the shaded areas. I was taking a turn driving on the two-lane road that wound around through the trees. As we began to descend to a lower elevation, I noted that there were some patches of “black ice” in my driving lane where the sunshine had not yet warmed the road. Coming around a bend, I slowed the truck and trailer down just as we encountered a slippery spot. I felt the trailer slide and then grab the road again as we hit dry pavement. We’d just met a vehicle in the oncoming lane, and I was grateful for the timing of that moment! They had passed us just before our vehicles slid over the center line a bit. Shook up a little, I pulled over at the next viewing area and let David take over driving!
As we exited the truck to change places, our eyes were drawn to the stunning view in the near distance. The sun was shining on a long, long ridge of red cliffs and they were just glowing with brilliant color. Looking on the map, I learned they were part of the Vermillion Cliffs area. I was mesmerized for the next half hour, unable to take my eyes off them. As the road turned and the cliffs ended, there was an unexpected treat waiting for us. The ridges displayed hues of red, blue, browns and golden beauty. We were there at just the right time of day to “see the show” and we pulled over to take it in. I truly could have just sat there for hours.
On the way to Page, we passed the signs for an iconic attraction that just couldn’t be missed. It’s called Horseshoe Bend - I’d seen some amazing pictures, so we pulled in to check it out. I wasn’t sure if I was up to the long, steep hike to the viewing area, but we decided to set out on the path to find out. Now the only problem with walking downhill such a long distance is that you are constantly reminded that you’ll have to walk back UPHILL at some point.
Nevertheless, making our way down the steep trail we came closer and closer to the beautiful destination and our anticipation grew. The tall cliffs shone in the sunlight and the green water of the Colorado River shimmered as it made its’ horseshoe turn around the peninsula that jutted out towards the observation area. It was well worth the time and energy spent. We stood and soaked in the beauty, watching the shadows change the colors in the cliff walls. Finally, we made our way slowly back up the trail and to our truck. We drove to the campground tired but happy campers!
The next morning, we rose early and made our way to the van loading site. Our driver took us out into the desert to the slot canyon access area. Our group was led to the opening in the rocks, and making our way in we were immediately met with the most beautiful, almost other-worldly environment that I could ever imagine. Words really just can’t do this canyon justice. In fact, I kept running my hand along the edge of the rocks as we walked in a line along the narrow pathway, to make sure I was really there! The light shining down from the slits in the rocks high above us mixed with the colors in the twisted, flowing sandstone and created constantly changing perception of the shapes and formations we walked through.
Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about every inch of the path, and guided us expertly to the optimum viewing areas. He knew precisely where to stand and look up to see the most incredible views that we would have missed out on without his help. At one point, as we looked up we saw what looked to be a gigantic heart shape complete with layers of flowing rocks and light. It may be the most gorgeous rock formation I have ever seen.
I didn’t want to leave – at least I got to see everything again on the way out as we retraced our steps back to the beginning. Walking out to the van I was just speechless. I motioned to David with my hands over my head as if to say “my mind has just been blown!” I smile to this day when I think about the indescribable beauty in Antelope Canyon.
Food for Thought
Standing outside of the cliff wall at the entrance to Antelope Canyon, you wouldn’t even know there was such beauty hidden only a few feet away. The view from overhead would reveal the openings in the ground where light penetrated into the pathway below, but the beauty still could not truly be seen until you entered the chambers, looked up, and kept following the pathway through to the other end. The heart formation could only be seen when you looked up from a particular place, in a particular direction. Then, there it was. A magnificent heart.
That’s the way it is on our path with the Lord. His true beauty isn’t seen until we get past the walls of our distractions and self-centeredness, into the “chamber” of His presence, look up, and stay on the pathway all through our lives. Then we can experience the richness of His heart.
2 Corinthians 4:6 (NIV) says “For God, who said, let light shine out of darkness, made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”
“Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell Him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will guard your heart and mind through Jesus Christ.” Philippians 4:6-7 TPT
The Apostle Paul wrote “I am contending for you that your hearts will be wrapped in the comfort of heaven and woven together into love’s fabric. This will give you access to all the riches of God as you experience the revelation of God’s great mystery – Christ.” (Colossians 2:2 TPT
Psalm 97:10-12 (TPT) tells us “Listen, you lovers of God! Hate evil, for God can keep you from wrong and protect you from the power of wickedness. For he sows seeds of light within his devoted lovers, and seeds of joy burst forth for the lovers of God! So be glad and continue to give him thanks, for God’s holiness is seen in everything he does.”
”So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves. Someone saw them going and the word got around. From the surrounding towns people went out on foot, running, and got there ahead of them. When Jesus arrived, he saw this huge crowd. At the sight of them, his heart broke—like sheep with no shepherd they were. He went right to work teaching them.” Mark 6:32 (MSG)
What is in God’s heart for us? LOVE!! He is FOR us, not against us! Romans 8:38 makes it very clear that there is NOTHING that can separate us from His love, or weaken His love for us.
May we continue to seek the magnificent heart of God and receive His ever-flowing love for us daily!
