To Cross a Suspension Bridge or a Desert: What would YOU choose?
Opinions. Everybody has one, but seldom does it agree with everyone else's!
For example, if you had the choice between crossing a suspension bridge or
crossing a desert, most of you would probably opt for the bridge. Not me. I
would definitely vote for exploring the desert!
Now this has nothing to do with my anti-social attitude, though I admit I do go
through these attitudes once in awhile. (Doesn't everyone??) Neither would I
choose the desert to stand out in a crowd. In fact, I actually prefer to be
inconspicuous - to blend in! My problem is that in my twilight years I have
inherited a terrible fear of heights, and the recent collapse of the bridge in
Minnesota hasn't made it any better!
Just after we said goodbye to Alaska and crossed back into Canada, my family and
I were confronted with the possibility of doing both: crossing a suspension
bridge or crossing a dessert. I, for one, voted for the desert. Unfortunately it
was three to one in favor of the bridge . . . I wonder where I lost my support?
The Yukon Suspension Bridge, which in all honesty is in Northern British
Columbia, permits daredevils like my wife and my two sons to cross the Tutshi
River (either named after the nearby town, or vice-versa). Though I may be afraid
of heights, I am a good sport, and not wanting to disappoint my family, we
pulled into the attraction and paid the exaggerated entrance fee. Then I made
the supreme sacrifice: I courageously stepped onto the bridge and crossed! No
problem! In fact, I made it all the way to where the bridge no longer was
suspended over land! Then I quickly retreated to safe ground, hoping the troops
wouldn't notice! There! That was over! I had done MY part!
Right after the exhilarating experience of hide-and-seek so that my sons
wouldn't realize I hadn't crossed the bridge completely, we headed for the Carcross desert,
named after the nearby town of Carcross, Yukon, naturally.
Wait a minute! How is it possible for a desert to be so far up North?
To tell you the truth, it isn't really all that big, and it really isn't a
desert. In fact, it is "affectionately" known as the smallest desert in the
world (Yukonians much like their desert!). Apparently the area was once covered
by a glacial lake (Brrrrr!); but as the glaciers retreated from the area, the
water levels withdrew, leaving behind nothing but the sandy lake bottom. Over
the years, the strong prevailing winds of nearby Lake Bennett have persistently
worked this sand, making it impossible for vegetation to grow except for the Lodgepole Pine (Yukonians "affectionately" named that one as well!)
and the Kinnikinnick (I am unsure if this is a swear word or a tree).
As we pulled into the parking lot beside the "desert", I was delighted to see
that you didn't have to pay to enter. I was the first one out of the car. "Come
on!" I called, heading for the entrance.
My wife wasn't so quick to leave the car. "I think I'll take a nap," she said
with a yawn. "I hate walking in sand!"
"Come on!" I urged, not to be outdone. "I went on the suspension bridge. You can
manage a little sand in your shoes!"
The teens in the back seat were making similar noises, but before it was all
said and done, all four of us were gladly crossing that sand. Okay, maybe I was
the only one who was "glad", but by this time, the car was locked and I had the
keys.
I was amazed that only a few other people were enjoying a lovely walk through
the sand. Didn't they all know what a treat they were missing out on? I was
determined to not let it bother me however, and after three long ... Okay,
five long minutes, we finally reached the other side.
It was actually hot on the "desert". I found this unusual, since we were above
the 60th parallel! Shouldn't it be freezing cold? But then again, we were in an
"affectionate" desert! There were also sand dunes everywhere, and it wasn't long
before my oldest son decided to turn into some kind of sand monster and study a
species of native desert insect more closely. Literally. We found him face down
in the sand! Teens!
Of these two experiences, I have to "affectionately" say that the desert was
definitely the more positive of the two. True, I'm the only one in the family
who thinks that way, but aren't the best things in life always free?
Everyone has the right for his own opinion; however remember that the opinion of
the majority isn't always truth. Pilate faced that same dilemma. A majority of
zealous religious fanatics had the ardent opinion that Jesus should be
crucified. Pilate didn't share that opinion and he ended up asking himself:
"What is truth?" (John 18:38 NIV) But he caved in under pressure, and an
innocent was crucified.
God works in mysterious ways however, and He can always turn unjust situations
to His glory. An injustice had been committed, but it led to the salvation of
those who believe: "You see, at just the right time, when we were still
powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a
righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God
demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ
died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall
we be saved from God's wrath through him!" (Rom 5:6-9 NIV)
Sadly, the majority still doesn't believe in what Jesus did for them, and they
continue to live as if Jesus doesn't exist. It is important that we learn to
examine our opinions carefully to discover if they are based on truth or on
fiction. Some opinions, like whether to cross a desert or a suspension bridge,
are rather personal; others though can determine our destiny: "Let us examine our ways
and test them, and let us return to the LORD." (Lam 3:40 NIV)
Would you like to join me in my trek across a desert? It will be fun… at least
it will be for me!
Rob Chaffart