Created for His Glory

I went hiking yesterday along a section of the Appalachian Trail that led to my favorite waterfall in Tennessee, Laurel Falls. 

It was a perfect day to soak up beauty and wonder, from wildflowers—

to sheer rock faces—

From a gently bubbling stream—

to water thundering over a 55 foot precipice—

I hiked along, rejoicing in it all, and thanking God for the glory He displayed in its creation.

But in the midst of that beauty, I was actually admiring and enjoying something even more, something that really blew me away:

My three not-so-kids anymore kids (along with two more friends). As I saw them climbing over ledges and up and down hills, laughing, talking, singing, I thought that even though God reveals Himself through the beauty and majesty of nature, He reveals Himself even more through His children. Isaiah 43:6-7 says,

Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the end of the earth,
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.

They possess a glory far above even the fairest flower or most majestic waterfall, for each one has been created in the very image of God. God has made each one of them, each one a unique, precious, fantastic creation, for His glory and my joy.

For all my pics from the hike, click here.