"Ethereal Nomads" - Episode 3: The Journey

There is so much noise, so many distractions here. I need to find peace, solitude, and isolation. I need to go away.

“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountain side to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” Luke 6:12.

I immediately knew where I needed to go. He was calling me to the North, close to the border of this place we call home. He was calling me to one of His greatest creations on this earth, the Grand Canyon.

But why is he calling me there? Why do I have to drive so far just to listen? I do not question any further and prepare my trip.

I start my journey, I know it’s going to be long, but He wants me to do this. He wants me to find Him and listen to Him. I can see the Ethereal Nomads, all throughout the state from my car.

The drive is calming, but right in front of me is the largest Ethereal of them all. He is waiting for me. Lightning strikes the ground 40 miles from my position. His girth excites and giddiness takes over knowing that I’m coming right for him.

I drive right through his heart, he rumbles, flashes and spits at me as I make my way to the other side. Then he speaks, reminding me of how Jesus accepted God’s will.
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42

I now know why I’m up here, to lay myself down to His will; the Canyon is the place where He will speak to me again.

I emerge from the Ethereal on the other side to witness his trail. Big beautiful clouds following in his wake, shining brightly against the deep blues of the bright summer sky. I continue on my way.

Hours later, I come upon the Grand Canyon. Thousands of people have found their way to this place long before I came. I need to find a place where I can find peace and isolation.

Four hours – it’s all that it took to feel like my problems have disappeared. Everything that hurts, all the confusion, and uncertainty that I feel in town was left there. The sight is so beautiful; I can’t take my eyes off of it.

I find a cliff, a place where not many people can reach, I ignore the “if you’re not careful, you will die” signs and hike a little ways into the canyon. I sit inches from certain death. One wrong step in any direction will lead to a 3,000 ft drop straight to the bottom of the pit. But I feel safe and comforted. My rock is sturdy. The wind cools my skin from the hot sun, it must only be 80 degrees. A juniper tree to the left of me howls from the wind blowing through.

I found my solitude. I can hear the many people that are here far behind me on the trail, but we are here together for different reasons. They are tourists, I am here to heal, grow, learn, forget, understand, listen and believe.

The canyon is so vast, it doesn’t look real, like a painting that I can reach out and touch. But as the sun makes its journey across the sky I can see the shadows dance across the cliff’s telling me that what I am seeing is real.

In Psalms, David states many times of how much he longs to hear God’s word.
“I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Keep me as the apple of eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 17:6-8

I want to hear God’s voice, He told me to come up here. The Nomad told me to lay myself at His will. I’m patient and wait for his words to come to me.

I can’t help but to think of how many people have come to this very spot to talk with Him. A condor flaps his wings high above me and soars off behind the canyon wall. The storms far off to the North seem to be sneaking closer in. Are they coming for me?

Just then, I was taken hold of by a blanket of warmth that took control inside of me. I inhaled deeply closed my eyes and like the darkening of a movie theatre, and the widening of the screen; all attention was directed to Him.

A whirlwind of emotions grabbed me. I felt euphoric, like a spiritual buzz. I wanted to stand up and fly. A tear ran down my face as control was taken from me. This episode stayed for 2 or 3 minutes.

I opened my eyes, totally forgetting where I was. The beauty before me overwhelmed the senses, even more so than when I first arrived. I gasped.

Then His message, the one I drove 4 hours to hear was prepared for its delivery. Without thought or knowledge of what was happening I turned directly in my bible to Philippians 3.
“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14.

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the Lord, our God.” Psalm 20:7
“My eyes are forever on the Lord, for he is the only one who can release my feet from my snare.” Psalm 25:15

The ride ended. He let go of me.

For 2 hours I sat there motionless, staring into the void. Clarity came, answers came, and I was at peace.

Finally, it was time for me to leave.

I said goodbye to the Grand Canyon and left with peace of mind knowing things are going to be different. He came directly to me, not using any of his messenger’s. The feeling was overwhelming and the message has been ingrained.

My growth with God is never ending, everyday I either get better or worse, but through it all, I choose the Lord. What has happened in the past cannot be changed, I can simply look upon my history, learn from it and be prepared to be a better person in the future.

Sometimes everyday life get’s in the way of what He wants us to do, and seeking solitude far from the reach of your establishments can be the only way get a better understanding of His will.

Thank you for your support.