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Topic: Exams (07/26/04)
TITLE: The Test of Time By Karen Treharne 07/29/04 |
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“Of course I do,” she snapped. “A person would be an idiot to doubt there is a God. All you have to do is look around you to see that no human could ever have created all this.” Sarah stretched her arm out in front of her indicating with a horizontal wave the panoramic view. “Why did you ask such a stupid question, Steve? You’re always pushing religion like you’re the only one who knows anything.” Sarah angrily grabbed the car keys from his hand, turned on her heels, and headed for the red truck with a parting comment. “I’m sick of you always trying to goad me into to accepting your version of what God and the Bible are all about.”
Steve stared after her and said a silent prayer for wisdom and patience and for God to provide the words to change Sarah’s mind. He followed behind her, silent in his thoughts as his boots kicked up dust along the path. The hike to the edge took longer than he anticipated and he was hot and irritated. Sarah was probably feeling the same way. Why couldn’t he seem to pick the right words or the right time to persuade her that the Bible was as constant and reliable as the existence of the Grand Canyon?
As he slid into the seat beside her, he apologized. “I’m sorry, Sarah. You’re right. I don’t mean to harp on and on, I just want to help you see why you can believe the words in the Bible.” He buckled his seatbelt and thankfully noticed the scowling expression on her face relax slightly.
“Ok, Steve. What ever. But let’s not talk about it any more.” She started the Ford up and headed down the winding road. A few minutes of silence later, she remarked, “I can’t get over how enormous and magnificent the Canyon is. It’s hard to believe it’s been like this for so many years. It is truly humbling.”
“I agree. I felt small there, too.” Then Steve suggested, “Let’s stop at that restaurant we saw on our way here and get something cold to drink. My throat feels like sand paper.”
He looked out the window at the passing shaded-green forest wall, thinking about her comment and how it was an extraordinary creation that a person could be assured would still be intact centuries into the future…just like the Bible that stands like a rock having passed the test of time.
“You know,” he spoke thoughtfully; “it is awe-inspiring to imagine the carving of this rock. Man could have never conceived of or achieved such beauty in a billion years. Only in the mind and by the hand of God could such a thing happen.”
He said another prayer that a seed had been planted today and would, over time, grow in stature for the Sarah he loved to see its truth. He smiled inwardly as he remembered the scripture in Isaiah 40:8: “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” He would hold on to this promise and wait, even if it took years.
copyright 2004 by Karen Treharne