A Walk in the Woods

Observations on Divine Design


Trail to Humpback Mountain.

Two men go walking in the woods. They quietly take in the wonder of nature as they press deeper into the forest. Suddenly they come upon a lovely little house nestled into the trees and admire its design. The house is situated to take advantage of the cycles of the seasons, bringing sunlight in in Winter and providing shade in the heat of Summer. Large windows allow the occupants to experience their surroundings while protecting them from the rugged mountain conditions. "Surely," the first man remaks, "this is the work of a master architect." Indeed the work is recognizeable as that of someone well known for certain design features evident in the house. "Who built it?" the man wonders. The stonework looks like the work of fine Spanish masons, but there is little else to indicate who built the house or their methodology.

If the man's companion were to then state that nature had responded to the harsh mountain conditions to create this wonderful dwelling and that this had happened randomly without any oversight from a master designer; he might legitimately be accused of ignoring the body of evidence that suggested otherwise.

Yet, many walk in the woods every day, ignoring a body of design that is even more wonderous and complex than that embodied in a house. Consider the many intertwined organisms that make up the forest world. Consider the elegant efficiency of so many functions in nature and the beauties and symetries to be found. That is just in what we can see.

In his book Signature in the Cell [click to read] Stephen C. Meyer looks at the blueprints involved in those complex creations and gives us even more evidence for the Master Designer.

"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse." -- Romans 1:20

Why is it so important to see evidence of the Divine hand? Hebrews 11:6 puts it this way:

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

Years ago, walking in the woods as a young man, I observed the buds of Winter trees growing fat for the blossoms to come in Spring. To me that came as Divine assurance.


A dogwood blossom displays balance in design.