Aug 10, 2012
What The Grand Canyon Tells Us About Finding Joy
At The Grand Canyon
Yesterday Jan and I met her brother and sister-in-law at the Grand Canyon.
It was massive – majestic – breath-taking.
And I was struck by the hundreds of people who were there – half of whom were from other countries.
And what were doing?
Looking. Just looking.
Why?
It’s because we are wired to find our highest joys in looking at — beholding — enjoying greatness (I first heard this from John Piper).
Think about it like this —
A mile from my house there’s creek flowing through a 10-foot deep gorge.
Why aren’t people from all over the world flocking to look at that gorge?
It’s because what brings joy is not looking at gorges — but looking at greatness.
And the Grand Canyon is one of the greatest gorges in the world.
So it’s true —
We are wired to find our highest joys in beholding greatness.
The greatest Greatness
If that’s how we are wired — then our highest joy will come from beholding the greatest greatness.
So — what is the greatest greatness?
God Himself.
Eternity
And that’s why God’s Word says that the greatest joy of eternity will be seeing God –
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will SEE GOD (Mat 5:8)
Strive for the holiness without which no one will SEE THE LORD (Heb 12:14).
No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will SEE HIS FACE… (Rev 22:3-4)
Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to SEE MY GLORY that you have given me … (John 17:24)
For now we SEE in a mirror dimly, but then FACE TO FACE. (1Cor 13:12)
You don’t have to wait until heaven
You can nurture this now – experience this now.
Yes, it will be like seeing through a mirror dimly (1Co 13:12).
But even dim-seeing of God’s glory is infinitely more satisfying than anything else.
So nurture this now.
How?
Take time to set everything else aside and just behold God.
Understand that as awesome as God is — through trusting Jesus you can see Him with confidence and joy.
Ask for the Holy Spirit to help you see with the eyes of your heart.
Set before your mind biblical truth of who God is as revealed in Jesus.
Pray over these truths until the Holy Spirit enables you to see and enjoy the greatness of God.
Try this – and let me know what happens.
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