Standing in front of the back wall of a cave in Seminole Canyon and viewing the ancient rock paintings, knowing that they are as old or older than the Biblical Abraham, gave me a curious sensation of timelessness and mystery. The pictures include recognizable figures of animals and human–like beings; and one group in particular of such figures standing in a circle looked to me as if it was depicting a ritual of some kind. “Are these figures religious in some way?” I asked our guide. “Honey, those figures can be anything you want them to be,” she answered, “No one has any idea what any of them means. No present day tribe acknowledges the people of these artists as their ancestors. There is no record except these pictures, so it’s up to you what you think they mean.”

Besides the pictures there were other artifacts: partial sandals, baskets, and some spear-

like weapons. As I left the canyon I felt as if time had been telescoped and I had seen some things, but understood very little of the character of the people who once lived there.

By contrast, I felt that I could almost have a conversation with Abraham himself, and we would understand each other. Nothing is left to be seen or touched of that bronze age Biblical man or his family, but his very character is literally an open book to which we can turn at any time.: “Then the word of the Lord came to him (Abraham): “A son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir. . . Look up at the sky and count the stars , if, indeed you can count them. . . So shall your offspring be.’ Abraham believed the Lord and He credited it to him as righteousness.’” (Genesis 15:4-6)

The God of Abraham was the God of Jesus of Nazareth as well. He is the God of all Christians today. The angel who spoke to the women who came to Jesus’ empty tomb said, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here. He is Risen!” (Luke 24:6) The God who gave Abraham a son in his old age and the God who raised Jesus to new life after his death on the cross is the God who lives in our homes and in our lives today. He is no less powerful now than He was in Abraham’s day, or in the very day of resurrection, or in the day of our own answered prayers. The material substances of the lives of Abraham and Jesus have disappeared, but the reality of their Spirits works profoundly in ours.

I enjoyed the opportunity of seeing the cave drawings at Seminole Canyon, and imagining the lives of the people, but I love more the renewal and joy I experience in relating to the living Christ and his ancestor, Abraham.

Love in Him,

Prue