Rock Solid (A Canyonlands Experience)

On a warm spring day in the late 1960s, in the vast landscape of Canyonlands National Park in southeastern Utah, a group of scientist-engineer Jeepers lined up their vehicles at the base of one of Canyonlands' most treacherous roads: Shafer Trail. 

A narrow, intimidating, meandering dirt road that scales a mountain with steep grades, hairpin switchbacks, "cliffside exposure," and no guardrails will challenge even the most experienced off-road enthusiast. When my father and his Jeep-driving friends traveled this treacherous trail, one of his friends' Jeeps became stranded. They used a winch to rescue the vehicle.      

A second location, “Elephant Hill,” is aptly named for its technical difficulties. Warning signs for both Shafer Trail and Elephant Hill are posted. Vehicles other than high-clearance 4WD with a low-range gear (4Lo) are strictly prohibited, and permits to travel these areas are required.      
   
A third location my father and his Jeep buddies visited was the Salt Creek and Horse Canyon. Also known as the “Needles,” standing water, deep sand, and quicksand pose extreme danger. Unpredictable weather brings storms that quickly turn dry dirt into impassable mud. 
     
Travelers to desolate areas are warned to bring their own supplies (including water). Among other tools, a winch (a rotating mechanical device with a long arm that attaches to the front of a Jeep) is essential in case a vehicle becomes stranded. (In desolate areas, 911 is inaccessible).

While in the Salt Creek area, one of my father's friend's Jeep became stuck in quicksand. A perilous situation, the Jeep tires began to slowly submerge into the quagmire. Due to quick action, despite the difficulty of pulling the Jeep out of the quicksand with the "strong arm" of the winch, they were able to bring the Jeep and driver to safety. 

My father and his friends were expertly prepared for the trip to the Canyonlands. However, even with their knowledge, expertise, and abilities, they could not outsmart Mother Nature when the weather turned inclement.    

We like to think we are well-prepared for whatever may come in life, but we cannot always save ourselves from disastrous situations, or spiritual dilemmas. But, there is One we can depend upon—the Lord our God, whose strong arms will uphold us.    

My father was an intelligent and wise man. He had the heart of an artisan, inventor, teacher, and philosopher. He taught me many things. He was my earthly rock.  

But God is my spiritual rock—and in Him I stand firm. He keeps me safe from the proverbial "sinking sand" and lifts me from darkness into the light of His love and salvation.   

The vast landscape of the Canyonlands is composed of both solid rock and sand. My father's and his friends' Jeep experience reminded me of the Bible's teaching about building faith on solid rock.  
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When we face trouble—or err by getting spiritually "stuck" — we can rely on our Creator, who made the universe and all that is in it—including you and me.                                                                                                                                                              <><<><<><
"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."  - Matthew 7:24-27 NIV.  

A beloved Christian hymn: "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand" ("all other ground is sinking sand")
Photo courtesy of Vecteezy.com

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