WE BENEFIT. WE ENJOY.

"It is a pleasure now to say a few words to you at the laying of the cornerstone of the beautiful arch which is to mark the entrance to this park. Yellowstone Park is something absolutely unique in the world so far as I know. Nowhere else in any civilized country is there to be found such a tract of veritable wonderland made accessible to all visitors. . . ." So said President Theodore Roosevelt on April 24, 1903 as the arch at the northern entrance to Yellowstone National Park was dedicated. When the arch was completed in August of that year, across the top these words were carved: “For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People.”

I agree with Roosevelt—Yellowstone is truly “something absolutely unique in the world” and is a “tract of veritable wonderland.” I read somewhere recently that in the beginning the park was, indeed, called “The Wonderland.” I would agree with that, too. Mountains reaching to the skies, rushing rivers, the thundering, huffing bison, racing pronghorn, bugling elk, and of course, if you’re fortunate, a (not too close) glimpse of the great grizzlies and black bears (my favorite!). I always say, every time you visit the park you see something different. And I do enjoy and benefit from it. Because I know Who made it all, my time in the park brings me closer to Him and causes me to more fully appreciate His infinite creativity, wisdom and love for His people.

 

Naturalist John Muir once said, “In every walk with nature one receives more than he seeks.” I go in the spring, seeking another look at my bison buddies and I receive a look at a brand new mama and her little red baby, a reminder that God is the Author of life. I go in the fall, hoping to hear my first call of the papa elk and receive the treat of a lifetime as the annual show goes on right in front of me, a reminder that such it has been ordained; it is the order of things as God has so determined. 

Genesis 1:1 says "In the beginning...God." God what? God created...everything. God made...everything. God did...everything. He made it for His pleasure, because He wanted to. He made it so we would praise Him, because it was so magnificently marvelous. He made it so we could live in it, take care of it and rejoice in it. So we could say, "Wow, God - You made a Wonderland! Your Indian Paintbrush tells me that. Your funny-looking sand cranes tell me that. Your beautifully blue bluebirds and Your soaring, beady-eyed eagles tell me that. What a Good God You are to fashion it all for the benefit and enjoyment of Your people!