Canyon Ministries
[Originally published as Many Are the Plans]
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’S purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21)
No matter how many times I have experienced or witnessed it, I find myself increasingly amazed by the will and plans of God on display.
The other day, while prepping for a Sunset Tour, I went through my usual routine: checking our booking system for information on my guests, committing names to memory as best I can, and reaching out to each party to make direct contact with them before we meet under the flagpole at the Visitor’s Center, and like most tours, everything seemed to be going smoothly. The groups that would be meeting were excited and ready for their sunset experience.
While I, with our new guide Luke at my side, walked up to the flagpole, I had no reason to think anything out of the ordinary was going to happen. The guests arrived, I did a quick count (3 separate groups of 2), introduced myself, and mentally verified the names of my guests. All was well.
Having arrived at the flagpole early, with all three groups ready to go, we made our way to the van. As each group sat in their perspective seats, I began my usual introduction talk. I shared a little bit of my testimony, as well as the experiences in my life that led me to a literal interpretation of Genesis and ultimately to Canyon Ministries.
As I finished up the final bit of this talk, placing Jesus into the creation narrative as per John 1:1, things took a turn. One of the gentlemen in the van turned to me and said, “I think we are in the wrong van.”
My initial thought was that they had booked a tour not knowing the perspective we were going to share and did not want to be a part of it, but then he said, “We were supposed to be meeting for a different presentation but would love to stay with you if you have room.”
I excitedly responded, “Of course! We would love to have you!” and then realized I must have left my 3rd party back at the flagpole accidentally.
As I ran back to the flagpole to find my other guests, my mind was reeling with self-doubt and I began kicking myself silently for messing up the names of my guests, only to find out that my other party shared the same name as my accidental attendees.
Thankfully, they handled my delay with grace and were still very excited to get started.
Now that we were all properly situated in place, I jumped in the driver’s seat and set out on our expedition.
It might be easy for some to discount this little mix-up as happenstance or coincidence, but I have no such doubts as to the sovereign and absolutely perfect nature of God’s plan.
The tour that followed was one that I will never forget. All four of my groups meshed like brothers and sisters in Christ should. There was nothing but a welcoming acceptance of the couple that God led unknowingly to a biblically based creation tour.
As a group, we shared our testimonies and praised God for his grace. The additional couple, we learned, had faced some significant struggles in the past but through the counsel of some influential and prayerful people, were finding themselves being drawn deeper into a relationship with Jesus. They admitted that they had never thought about Creation or the Flood from a scientific perspective and shared that they had no idea that a perspective like ours even existed.
I was thrilled to be able to answer a proverbial mountain of questions they put forth and happy that I was chosen as a piece in the plan of God to help draw them nearer to Him.
As the sun set behind the rim and the vibrant colors faded from the canyon only to be painted on the sky, I stood in awe of our Creator and Savior, not just for the handiwork of His creation and the immense beauty that it holds but for the personal care that He has for each of his children.
As we all parted ways that evening, it was with an uplifted and energetic spirit that can truly only come from God. My prayers will be with them as they continue down the path of working out their Faith and drawing nearer to our Father. Ultimately, I know the will of the Lord is perfect and will prevail in their lives.
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’S purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21)
Bryce
