During our recent trip to Philadelphia we visited a remarkable exhibition of the human body called Body Worlds II. Techniques have been developed using plastic preservatives to treat the bodies of humans, who gave permission for this during their lifetimes, so that the tissues do not continue to decay. There were a number of exhibits, which had been totally depersonalized (faces and features no longer seen) that revealed the inner wonders of the human body: muscle, tendon, bone, nerves and vital organs. My daughter, who is currently in the midst of Physical Therapy school at Temple University, was able to point out the names and functions of many aspects of the body that she has just been studying in her anatomy labs. One couldn't help but think of the Creator and the amazing design He fashioned. Something like a dozen major body systems interact to allow us to carry on the routine and voluntary actions of our lives. And the amazing brain...a 3 pound mass of dense neural tissue and blood supply controls it all. But a new wonder occurred to me as I reflected about the exhibition. God designed the body in such a way that it is identical in form, function and "parts" (gender specific, of course). This permits medical understanding and treatment of sickness and disease. It also allows each of us to relate to one another in terms of all the physical challenges and needs of physical living. Nonetheless God also designed the body with ultimate uniqueness (everyone's DNA is different) so that our appearances differ and we can be recognized (of course twins can be a challenge!). He also designed the body as the perfect "house" for our spirit and soul. The "self" that you think of as you resides within the frame of this design. You have unique personality, interests and motivations that differentiate you from every other person. Only God could come up with a design that perfectly marries the common with the unique. As wonderful and enlightening as the exhibits in Philadelphia were, they were devoid of any clues as to personality. I am grateful for what I have in common with all others and I am especially grateful that I have been formed with unique identity...and I am known uniquely to Him!.....(and so are you!!)
Romans 12:4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.
blessings, from one unique soul to my unique friends, with whom we share so much in common
Rob Smith
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