After God created the animals, all the essential roles had been filled, but the Divine Artificer still longed for some creature which might comprehend the meaning of so vast an achievement, which might be moved with love at its beauty and smitten with awe at its grandeur. To contemplate and appreciate all the rest, to revere and to hallow, to give mute creation a voice of praise-- these were the roles reserved for the species made in God's image.

Astonishingly, God the Creator seldom imposes himself on his creatures. It requires attention and effort on our part to "remember your Creator," because the Creator slips quietly backstage. God does not force his presence on us. When lesser gods attract, God withdraws, honoring our fatal freedom to ignore him.

--Rumors of another world