In a world that has become saturated with the gloss of AI, we wanted you to take the opportunity to see that God’s creation is anything but fake. And our kids did. We had dozens of wonderful entries; below you’ll find the winners and some favorites from the youth category.
Be sure to check out the adult entries as well!
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WINNER
TWO DANDELIONS
Dandelions are usually very ugly at this point in their life, but when the sun shines through them they become beautiful. This can remind us that we should let the light of the gospel shine in our life.
– Jenna (14)
RUNNER-UP
MOUNTAIN LION ENCOUNTER
While on a Sunday walk with my dad and brother, we had an exciting but slightly frightening encounter – a mountain lion followed us! One day in heaven, this won’t be dangerous (Isaiah 11:6), but the reality on this side of heaven is that it still is. We were thankful for God’s protection and look forward to the day when there will be no more danger.
Josiah (14)
GOD’S INTRICATE DESIGN
God is so powerful that he can make the stars and mountains, but that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t pay attention to the details, like the fuzz and the veins in the wings of the honey bee.
– Asher (12)
MOON
This photo of the moon, taken through a telescope, displays God’s awesome power over the earth. The moon is a little light in a world of black. Just like we are a light in a world stained black with sin. Even though there is sin on this side of eternity we can still see God’s power throughout this world.
– Rory (13)
This photograph shows how we look past the brokenness in this world to where we are headed. Just like this bumblebee flew past the dead and broken flower, and went to the perfect flower to rest in and drink the pollen, we are headed towards the perfect world, where we will rest and drink in the riches of His eternal glory. We mustn’t let ourselves get distracted by this world, and the fleeting riches of this world. As Christians, we must always strive to God’s eternal heaven and earth.
– Scarlett (17)
LOOK THROUGH DIFFERENT WAYS
The world can be a dark and scary place, but sometimes you just have to take off your sinful glasses, and look at the world through the eyes that God has given you.
– Lexi (14)
GROWING IN GRACE
This photo was taken. On the top of a dry coulee. Despite its harsh conditions this yellow flower bloomed. On this side of heaven en God gives us what we need to grow. He blesses us with gifts so that we can shine as lights in this increasingly dark world.
– Kylie (15)
LONG BEACH SUNSET
I was inspired to take this photo when I saw vibrant colours that lit up the sky in an ominous but still beautiful way. The waves crashed onto the wet sand as the sun set in the background. This photo was taken on Long Beach near Tofino, BC.
– Holly (12)
EVENING GROSBEAK AT DIABLO LAKE
Sometimes the colors in God’s creation are so vibrant and breathtaking, you might think they were digitally enhanced or even AI-generated. But the colors in this picture are completely real. No filters, no technology – just the incredible beauty of God’s creation.
– Josiah (14)
MADAGASCAR DAY GECKO
This photo is of a Madagascar Day Gecko sticking to a glass pane. These geckos use microscopic hairs on the bottom of their feet called Setae to stick to pretty much everything. These setae split into hundreds of smaller tips called spatulae. Those spatulae create a molecular interaction called Van Der Waals Force. This complex function allows the gecko to be able to stick itself to something and hold on by one toe. All this shows the complexity and strength of the geckos creation which no random chance over millions of years could create.
– Jonathan (16)
BEAUTY IN THE FRACTURES
This photo beautifully captures the theme between brokenness and hope. The cracked, dry soil is a harsh reminder of hardship and the brokenness of our world. But out of the cracks, resilient corn sprouts are pushing through, striving to reach the sky. With the beautiful sunrise on the horizon, its light perfectly symbolizes new hope amidst hardship. It’s a powerful vivid reminder that even in the toughest, most barren seasons of life, growth and hope are always possible, you just have to keep growing.
– Jesse (16)
ROBIN CHICK
This Robin chick is looking at the camera and opening his beak wide, hoping for a snack. He is an example of Gods amazing, intricate design. How does an egg turn into a chick in the first place? (This Photo was taken while this chick’s parents were away, so I was never able to ask their permission. I don’t think they ever found out though 🙂
– Jenna (14)
SEEING GOD’S LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS
In this photo, my sister is holding a fake moon lamp, while looking at the true moon. AI is often like the fake moon. So easy and quick to take a picture. But when we look at creation, it is so much more beautiful! And how could it not? The Creator made it! Yes, the fake moon could look cool in a picture, but the real moon looked more amazing with its light shining through the clouds.
– Abigail (14)
“My little brother is so funny, even if he bites me sometimes.”
– Caius (5)
HARVEST DAYS
“While the earth remaineth, seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”
– Andrew (9)
NATURE’S SYMMETRY
In Song of Solomon 2:11-12, we read: “For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.” This text relates very well to the photo and the theme. After a rain storm, I ran outside to take some pictures of the flowers with the droplets. None AI photo can beat a natural photo of a daisy; look at the center of the daisy; a daisy’s center is actually symmetrical!
– Raelene (12)
GOD MAKE MY LIFE A LITTLE FLOWER
Sometimes reality looks bleak. Looming overhead are dark mountains, cloudy skies, and twisted trees which seem to be trying their hardest to block what little sunlight there is. But in the midst of it all, there is always a little ray of sunshine, something small we can be grateful for and encouraged by. Instead of simply absorbing this beauty, we can reflect it, amplify it, pass it on, and become something beautiful ourselves for the encouragement of others.
– Clara (15)
I took this picture at Point Farms Provincial Park. They are tiny Fairy Inkcap mushrooms. I think that it is amazing how, after wood dies and rots, God plants new life in it! We don’t always look close enough to see them, but I think that mushrooms are a spectacular part of God’s creation!
– Arielle (9)