The train ride was wonderful, and all the helpers enjoyed it so much because the teacher was there to meet all their needs. The train trip came to an end and the teacher had arranged for the whole group to continue the trip in their own private bus. The helpers were so excited because the Grand Canyon was close, and they could hardly wait to get there!
The bus stopped in Fredonia Arizona and the teacher told all the helpers that this was where they were getting off the bus. The helpers were confused! They were expecting to take the nice bus all the way to the Grand Canyon! They were looking forward to watching the beautiful scenery while they traveled on smooth highways in the air conditioned bus!
The teacher had other plans! The teacher told the helpers that they were going to hike the rest of the way to the Grand Canyon! The Grand Canyon was a little over 55 miles away and they were going to hike on Forest Service Roads, so they would not get lost. They would each have to carry a backpack with water, their clothes, and blankets to use at night. Some would also carry dried food, some would carry extra water, and some would carry tents. It sounded like a lot of hard work!
The helpers were not happy! They had been expecting an easy trip, and now the trip would be hard! They all strapped on their backpacks and began the hike. Right away they had more problems! Some of the helpers were good hikers and wanted to go fast, other helpers were not good hikers, and they went slow and wanted to rest often. The helpers got irritated with each other, but the teacher encouraged all of them.
The roads they hiked were rough and hot! Their drinking water was warm and their food was not the food they were used to. There was no fast food or pizza! They did not sleep well at night and were always tired and sore. They hiked five hours a day, and it took them almost four days of hiking to get to the Grand Canyon! The teacher was with them every step of the way, and without the teacher’s help none of them would have finished the hike. There were so many times each of the helpers was tempted to give up, but the teacher helped them find the strength to keep going and reach the goal!
The tired group of helpers and the teacher finally reached the entrance to Grand Canyon National Park, and they took the walkway that led to the rim of the canyon. Just before they got to the point where they could see the awesome view of the canyon, the teacher stopped the group and said that there was something that needed to be said!
The teacher stood in front of one of the helpers and said, “Well done! You are a good and faithful helper, thank you for joining me in this project and helping so much! Now, enter into the joys and thrills of the Grand Canyon!”
The teacher then sent that helper down the path and suddenly the helper saw the awesome view of the Grand Canyon. One-by-one the teacher stood in front of each of the helpers and told them the same thing and sent each of them to see the awesome Grand Canyon!
After thanking each of the helpers, the teacher then joined them on the rim of the Grand Canyon. The group was full of joy, and they realized that all the difficult times they had spent on the journey had been worth it! The best part was; they did not have to leave after a short visit; the teacher had bought an apartment building for them! They were going to live by the Grand Canyon National Park, and enjoy the friendships with each other and with the teacher as they finished the work they had started and then move on to other projects!
Application for you and me:
There are several God-Connections in this story.
The first God-Connection is the four-day hike that they took to get to the Grand Canyon. It was a long hike, and at times very difficult. The helpers got discouraged and often wanted to quit. The believer’s journey to heaven is a lot like the hike to the Grand Canyon. At times this life on earth can be very difficult and many times we feel like just giving up. The teacher never left the helpers and encouraged them each step of the way. Jesus does the same thing for believers; He stays with us each step of the way and gives us encouragement and strength for the journey.
In the Bible in Psalms 23:3-4 it says:
He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
The second God-Connection in this story is at the end of the hike when the teacher tells each helper that their job was well-done. Jesus will say the same thing to believers who are faithful to Him during their journey through this life.
In the Bible in Matthew 25:23 Jesus says:
“The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’”
The third God-Connection in this story is when the helpers saw the Grand Canyon and realized that the difficult hike had been worth it. In the same way, when believers reach heaven at the end of this life, we will realize that the hard things in this life don’t compare to what is waiting for us in heaven.
In the Bible in Romans 8:18 it says:
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later.
The fourth God-Connection is the apartment building that the leader had provided so that the helpers and the teacher could all stay together and do their work. In the same way, when Jesus left this earth and returned to heaven, He promised to prepare a place for us!
In the Bible In John 14:1-3 Jesus says:
Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me. There is more than enough room in my father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with Me where I am.
Travel through this life with Jesus and take joy in the journey! We cannot even imagine what great things He has for believers after this life is over!