god's rays

when i was much younger, i believed that sunlight like this, streaming in rays down to earth, was evidence of god's existence. god shining down on us all (cue the organ). as i grew up, i learned the scientific name for this phenomenon - crepuscular rays, occurring when clouds partially obscure the sun's light. in order to see these rays, the atmosphere must be hazy or dusty enough so that sunlight in unshadowed areas can be scattered toward the observer, as in this picture shot shortly after today's spring shower. but now that i am older, i wonder if this sight is the result of a joint effort: a breath-taking natural event made possible by the presence of specific atmospheric conditions - all orchestrated by god.