Photo and Commentary by Darren Milam
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
I was recently in Utah and had a chance to visit one of the famous national parks – Arches. The park is located just outside of Moab, Utah and also borders Canyonland National Park. If you haven’t been to Arches, just by this image alone you should have a good idea of where it gets its name from. Depending on who you speak with or which pamphlet/book you read, there is conflicting data on the precise number of arches. According to Wikipedia, there are over 2,000 natural sandstone arches located in the park (some books/guides will say the number is up to 3,500).
This particular one is called “Double Arch,” given there are two arches right beside each other. To give a sense of the size of these sandstone triumphs, Double Arch is 112 feet above the ground. As you stand underneath, it’s quite impressive.
How did they form? Well, again, depending on who you ask you can certainly get the response of, “from billions and billions of years of erosion.” I tend to believe in the theory of the flood. As I flew into the Moab airport, the aerial view of the surrounding area appeared to be an image from the bottom of the ocean floor. When the flood covered the entire planet, there was a whole lot of water and a whole lot of movement. I can visualize the water swirling around, and through these smaller caves/arches, carving the sandstone away. What was left were these majestic “bows” of rocks.
Don’t get me wrong, I believe over the past 3,000 years, these arches have been changed and enlarged by the rain and wind that have touched them. That said, I don’t believe these natural structures were carved out by billions and billions of years.
God is the creator of all. He had a hand in the craftsmanship we see in this image. We marvel at His handiwork. What an awesome God we serve.
If you ever have a chance, this National Park, and many others in the area provide a glimpse into the creative nature of the One and True Creator.