By Rev. Stephen Brown

Recently, I had the privilege of traveling to Thorne Bay, Prince of Wales Island in the Southeast Alaska Alexander Archipelago. It remains a world a little off the beaten track.

Sitka blacktail deer and black bear abound, fish teem the waters both inland and deep ocean. The tall, deep forests are dense with Sitka spruce, yellow cedar and hemlock. Spending a week there brought new and inspiring sights and knowledge each day.

I was among a group gathered for some strategic planning but not to get in the way of fishing some of the deep channels of Warren Island and Sea Otter Sound. I witnessed displays of flora and fauna that even after living in this state for 45 years, I had never seen before.

Whales feeding on herring boiling at the surface, bald eagles skillfully picking fish from the surface, sea lions chasing our catch to the boat, and the tiny fawns running to keep up with their mothers to stay ahead of the black bears and the giant flatfish of deep water being winched to the surface were all so wonderful to take in.

I am not attempting to create a travelogue on the wonders of Prince of Wales Island as I write this, but to give some context to my marvel at the incredible work of the God I worship. I gave much thought to the Psalm of David which says:

Psalm 19:1-4

The heavens declare the glory of God;

And the firmament shows His handiwork.

2 Day unto day utters speech,

And night unto night reveals knowledge.

3 There is no speech nor language

Where their voice is not heard.

4 Their line has gone out through all the earth,

And their words to the end of the world.

The intricacies of the balance of predator and prey, the tides in sync with the moon, the rains watering the deep green forests, and all with such beauty words fail to describe. Some think this is all a “fortuitous accident” but the beholding eye identifies design, purpose and intention.

By definition anything described as an “accident” is ruinous, broken, failed, marred and dysfunctional. What I experienced was not described by those words. Beautiful, harmonious, synergetic, robust, and full of wonder more accurately describe the sights and sounds of Prince of Wales Island.

Being immersed in an experience like this also gives me reassurance that the same God of creation is the God that made me and you with the same thoughtfulness of design, purpose and intention. We are not accidents in a world made by accident, but part of the grand and glorious creation of a thoughtful, caring and immensely powerful creator.

I join with the heavens declaring the glory of God.

Rev. Stephen Brown ministers at Kenai New Life Assembly of God. For more information go to Kenai New Life Facebook page or visit Kenainewlife.org