MY GRAND EXPERIENCE

A week after my Life in the Spirit Seminar twenty six years ago, during one of my prayer times, I felt God whisper in my heart, “Arun, I will bring you to Grand Canyon and there, I will tell you something important.” I held on to that revelation. I believed those words with all my heart.

As a teenager, I started filling my room with Grand Canyon pictures, posters and stickers. Beside my mirror was a small picture of the Grand Canyon. My school notebooks all had Grand Canyon covers. My computer was filled with pictures of this wonder of the world. I did all this not just to remind me of the promise made to me, but also to remind God about His promise. I think I overdid it, because somehow, even my face has a ‘Grand Canyon feature’ (for those who have seen me face to face, I think you will agree).

As I grew up, I patiently waited for that promise to be fulfilled. Then one day, some seventeen years later, my Mom asked me if I could accompany her to the USA. I asked, “For free, Ma?” She said, “Yes!”  Of course I said, “Anytime.” Then I smiled.

I asked my wife, Lallaine to be with us. The day before we left, we received an overseas call from her best friend in the United States, Lena. She insisted that we visit her. She emphatically told us that we can not leave America without seeing her. I asked “Where do you live now?”  She replied, “Arizona.” Then she followed up, “Once you arrive, I will bring you to the Grand Canyon.” My heart leapt. I remembered God’s promise to me.

I was not able to sleep well the following nights. When we arrived in Arizona, she welcomed us warmly and told us that tomorrow is the day when we drive up to see this amazing wonder of the world - the Grand Canyon.

When we reached the viewing park, Lena told us the tradition they have when they brought friends to see the canyon. She said it must be strictly followed. She told us that we need to close our eyes, join hands, and walk together while she guided us to the ledge. It is only then that we may open our eyes.

With excitement and some degree of fear (what if when we open our eyes, we actually find out we were almost falling off the edge), we obliged. We walked slowly. I think it was my heart, beating so wildly, which made it first to the ledge. Then Lena told us that anytime we were ready, we may open your eyes. With my eyes still shut, I told myself, “I’ve been ready for many years.” So slowly, I opened my eyes. I looked at the Grand Canyon and it was breathtaking. Literally, its glory took my breath away.

I have never seen such beauty and wonder. I was speechless for five minutes. Then my heart started to sing praises to my God. My companions left me and I found myself singing worship songs. I just could not contain it. I thanked Him for bringing me here, and fulfilling His promise. Then I asked, “Lord, now I am here. You promised me when I was thirteen years old that you would bring me to the Grand Canyon, and that you would tell me something important there. Now I am here, Lord, what do you want to say?”

I heard Him whisper in my heart, “Arun, is it beautiful?”

I replied, “Lord, it is so beautiful. I have never seen such splendor in my life.”

Then He told me to look at it again, so I looked.

Suddenly I felt an embrace, and a gentle voice saying,

“You are so much more beautiful than this.”

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