Marvel - Martin Wiles

Just ask the animals, and they will tell you. Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you. Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you. Job 12: 7-8 NLT

“You wonder how all this got in one place,” he said.

My brother and his girlfriend were on a three-day camping trip with my wife and me. We chose Devil’s Fork State Park in the mountains of Upstate South Carolina. Campsites overlooked beautiful Lake Jocassee, and several hiking trails were in the park and nearby.

The first two days, we did nothing but sit around and soak in the beauty of nature and some relaxation. On the third day, we set out to find wildflowers on the neighboring trails.

The first trail gave us a rare gaze on patches of the Oconee Bell wildflower. We marveled as small white bell-shaped flowers hung from small plants with rounded green leaves. But the second of the three trails we hiked—the Oconee Station historical site—surpassed our dreams. 

Blooming wildflowers decorated the sides of the trail and the adjoining woods for more than a mile as we made our way to the awaiting waterfall. Many we’d never seen before, flowers that only make their appearance for a short time in early spring, such as purple trillium, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, and May Apple. So many shapes and sizes.

After my brother made his statement at the end of our hikes, his girlfriend motioned to the sky. She didn’t have to say a word. We knew what she meant. So did Job. The earth—and everything on it—speaks of the majesty of the Creator. According to Job, even the afflictions he faced.

When I look at the beauty of the created order, I discover variety yet predictability. These wildflowers will return next year. God created the exact environment they need to grow in this particular area—some in an exact location. God must also love variety or else He would have created everything the same, which would have been simpler.

Gazing on creation presents two options: believe it’s all an accident or believe someone is behind it all. I choose the latter. I also choose to wonder at the God I serve. Greater than all others. Power unlimited. Love unsurpassed. The only proper response is to praise, worship, adore, and trust Him. For everything in life. After all, if He can create such beauty in nature, He can surely take care of us.

Spend some time in nature, and then worship the one who made and controls it all.

Tweetable: Are you taking time to marvel at God's creation? 

Prayer: Father, the beauty of Your creation reminds us of Your love for us.

Looking for a wide selection of genres in inspirational books at discount prices? Click here to see selections.

Thanks to all our faithful followers who are "sharing" our posts--please keep it up! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Help us spread God's encouragement through his love lines.