I See God’s Beauty When I Hike – A Journey Through Nature and Faith (Video)
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." – Psalm 19:1
There’s something about stepping into nature that quiets the soul. Away from the noise of everyday life, the responsibilities, and the distractions, God’s presence feels so much closer. His creation speaks, revealing His power, creativity, and love.
This is why I love hiking.
A Gift from God
For my birthday, my wife gifted me a trip to one of my favorite places – Cumberland Island. This place holds a special meaning for me, not just for its beauty but for the memories it carries. Years ago, I visited this island for a film shoot, but this time, it felt more sacred. This time, I was sharing it with my wife and daughter.
One of the things I hoped to see on this trip were the wild horses that roam the island. Even more special, there were rumors of newborn foals among them. Seeing them would be a gift, but as with all things in life, nothing was guaranteed.
The Unexpected Detours
On the ferry ride to the island, we learned that newly hatched sea turtles were being released that day. Excited to witness this beautiful moment, we made our way to the beach – but when we arrived, we realized there had been a miscommunication. The turtles had already been released earlier that morning.
Plans don’t always go as expected, but God’s beauty is always present.
We decided to simply enjoy the beach, soaking in the vast ocean, the endless sky, and the rhythmic crashing of the waves—all testaments to God’s majesty.
Facing Challenges in the Wilderness
Unfortunately, the heat was intense, and my wife started feeling unwell. This was concerning—after all, we were on an island with limited resources. We immediately left the beach and made our way to the ranger station to cool off.
It’s in moments like these—when things are out of our control—that we must remember to pray.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." – Philippians 4:6
I prayed, asking God to restore my wife’s strength, and after some rest and cool air, she slowly started feeling better.
Life is full of moments like this—unexpected hardships, detours, and disappointments. But just as God provides refreshment in the wilderness, He also provides peace in the storms of life.
Exploring the Ruins & Finding Beauty in the Unexpected
With some time left before our ferry departed, we decided to explore the Dungeness Ruins, a once-grand mansion built by the Carnegie family in the 1800s that was destroyed by fire in the 1950s.
The ruins stood as a reminder of time’s passing—of how earthly treasures fade. But just beyond them, we finally spotted a wild horse.
At first, we weren’t sure if it was a young foal or a yearling, but that didn’t matter. It was a beautiful moment—a small, unexpected gift from God. We sat quietly, watching, reflecting, and feeling God’s presence in that stillness.
Capturing the Moment
My daughter, with her Fujifilm Instax Square camera, eagerly snapped photos of the horses, fascinated by the instant development of the Polaroids.
There’s something special about film photography—the excitement of waiting, of not knowing exactly how the image will turn out. It reminds me of faith—we don’t always see the full picture right away, but we trust that God is creating something beautiful in His timing.
"Lord, what a variety of things You have made! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your creatures." – Psalm 104:24
Closing Thoughts – Stepping Outside to See God’s Glory
After five hours on the island—much of it spent recovering from the heat—we didn’t get to explore as much as we had planned. But God still revealed His beauty in the little things:
The unexpected horse sightings
The shade of an ancient oak tree
The sound of the waves crashing
The peace of sitting with my family in stillness
Even when things don’t go according to plan, God is always there. We just have to step outside, take a deep breath, and behold His creation.
If this trip reminded me of anything, it’s that the presence of God surrounds us daily, waiting for us to notice.
May we never take His beauty for granted.
Have you ever experienced a moment in nature that made you feel closer to God? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
God Bless,
Thomas
