This morning I awoke in one of my favorite places – the Great Smoky Mountains. Specifically in the city of Pigeon Forge, TN. I love these beautiful mountains and cherish the memories I have of many previous visits and relish the thoughts of yet another brief time spent here.

I often ask myself, “Why do I love these mountains like I do?” The answer to that question is not quite clear to me. As far back as I can remember, I have always loved the mountains. If you know me, even casually, you have probably heard me say at some point that I would love to live in the mountains of Wyoming or Montana (one winter might do me in, but I’d love to give it a try!). Teresa and I had the wonderful joy and pleasure of living in the Smoky Mountains for a brief stint (18 months), and we both loved every minute we were there. We hiked so many trails, visited so many waterfalls, took in so many sights of each season. We saw such beauty and majesty looking over the valleys far below, or the peaks far above. We heard the thunderous sound of the crashing water as it fell from high above to its destination far below.

We were talking just yesterday about so many memories of those 18 months. Yesterday, as we drove from Lancaster, SC, to Pigeon Forge, TN, we once again drove through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, enjoying yet again the beauty of that 35-mile drive between Cherokee, NC, and Gatlinburg, TN. We’ve driven this road countless times before, enjoying the beauty of each season. We’ve seen the breathtaking grandeur of the colors of fall, the pristine snow-blanketed serenity of winter, the cold, seemingly lifeless barren trees between winter and spring, the beautiful, bountiful colors of spring as new life bursts forth – I could go on, but hopefully this is enough to show how deeply my love for this small part of God’s creation runs.

But more than speaking of my love for these mountains is my love for the Creator who created such beauty. And why did He do it? I’ve often thought about the fact that God could have created the world in one monotonous color, with one never-ending season, with trees all of the same hue of green, with no variations in terrain, no changing of weather patterns, etc. Yes, He could have created a rather ‘blah’ world. He also could have created humans as automatons – all exactly the same height, weight, hair color, body build, eye color, preferences, etc.

I think we would all probably agree that we would not like to live in a world like that. But again, what prompted God to create things the way they are? I’m sure I can’t answer that question adequately. I admit that His ways are higher than my ways and His thoughts than my thoughts. But I can’t help but believe that He created it the way He did because of His desire to give us a most enjoyable life experience. I believe that God gave us a world that would bring us joy and fulfillment, contentment and satisfaction. After all, He did create a perfect paradise to be home to His first human family. He created a place with an abundance of everything man and woman could ever possibly need to live a perfectly fulfilled life.

Let me get a bit personal. Have you taken time recently to thank Him for this beautiful world He has given us? I can’t help but praise Him when I ride through the towering peaks of the mountains, or see the vast expanse of the ocean, or see the flat lands of the Midwest, or the cornfields of Nebraska, or the grandeur of the Grand Canyon, glacier covered peaks of Montana, or the Badlands of the Dakotas. Yes, creation itself should serve as motivation for praise and worship.

He has given us all things to enjoy, but He has also given us all things to bring us into a state of reverence, gratitude, and thanksgiving as we realize that He did it for our enjoyment. Let’s be sure to take time to pause in the busyness of life to thank Him for the gift of His creation.