Ocean Isle Beach, N.C. -- Standing ankle-deep in the warm sands of the North Carolina shoreline, looking out into the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, I am reminded of the greatness of God and the depth of His love.

Yet, as I watch the waves come in and recede, I can see the smallest of visible aquatic life forms wiggling their way back into the protection of the sand -- a reminder that we are not the only created thing visible to the Creator.

How great is the love of God that he would place us on this planet and then create small creatures to sustain larger creatures -- and so on -- until, at some point, the created thing is meat for our own sustenance. Or, maybe, that small creature was brought into being just to clean the water so that the watery realm would better sustain those further up the chain of life.

I'm not at all sure how it works, but I am certain that it works together and for a purpose -- His purpose. And I know that the Creator knows better than anyone how it was designed to work.

Thus far this week we've climbed to the high mountain tops and driven through the swampy salt marshes; we've experienced the "splendor" of Myrtle Beach; we've walked along the shoreline and swam in the surf; we've ventured back in time on a former rice plantation that dates back to the 17th century; we've eaten our fill of seafood and local fare while taking in the sights and sounds of eastern South Carolina.

And still, the most amazing things to watch and touch and breath into your senses are those things wrought by the hand of God. The seashells; the sea creatures; the wildlife; the majestic views; the salt spray; the rolling thunder and billowing clouds out over the Atlantic; the crashing waves -- all part of God's design. And what a masterful design it was.

I realized it most one morning as I stood at the top of Chimney Rock in the Blue Ridge Mountains and watched the river run far below me, and again while standing on the dunes one evening with my family watching the reflection of a full moon dance on the waves. I relived the awe when I sat on that same shore an evening or two later and watched a large, lazy, orange moon peak out from behind a wall of threatening clouds, painting the waves indescribable shades of red, blue, orange, purple, and gold.

No matter what man comes up with -- whether it be a neighborhood of brightly colored homes lining the street near a beautiful beach or a massive lighthouse doing sentry duty of our coastline; whether it be a high-rise condo kissing the sky above the bustling entertainment strip or a parasail hanging effortlessly over the waves -- nothing compares to the splendor of Creation. Nothing.

He does good work.