We live in an advanced world of science and technology. The greatest of all creations yet is man himself - the ultimate machine. The human body is a competent and efficiently designed machine in that it is intelligent, capable of learning, developing and adapting response to changes. It can even heal itself within certain limits through cellular regeneration and the immune system can often overcome foreign body invasions. The human body has a dynamic framework of bone and cartilage, with hinges and joints that were made to move and are self-lubricated internally to overcome friction. The body has a specialised chemical plant that metabolises the food we eat to provide energy. It provides nutrition for the growth of organs, blood, and bones. To control the temperature, the body is equipped with a heating and cooling system which causes your body to shiver in freezing conditions and perspire from tiny sweat glands in hot weather. This is controlled by an automatic internal thermostat, which keeps the body temperature at about 37°C.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:13-14)
Our brain is a remarkably complex organ, which forms the centre of our body’s computer system. It receives input from the body through billions of nerve fibres which act like wires that carry the information back and forth from the central nervous system. The brain processes the data and sends information throughout the body that precisely controls every action like the fingers of a pianist, Mozart, or an arm swinging an axe at maximum force, right down to the flicker of an eye. The brain is also the vial of our memories, the crib of our emotions, and the core of our reasoning, which singularises us from other animals.
“The hearing ear, the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even them both,” wrote King Solomon (Proverbs 20:12). The human ear is a fundamental component to the sophisticated and progressive human language of communication. Without which speaking, listening, reading, and writing would remain virtually impossible. Another astounding characteristic is that the inner ear plays a vital role in maintaining body balance while standing or riding a bicycle.
The human sight is an incredibly complex system comprising of an intelligently designed eye and brain which programs together. Without which, any attempts at walking, running - even the mini head tremors you make while you read these words would make our vision blurred, scattered and impossible to comprehend. Incredible as the eye is, consider that we have not one but two of them.
Right now while you sit quietly, a multitude of events are taking place necessary for your survival. The various parts of your functioning body receive blood from the heart and circulatory system which maintain the correct rate and precise output to supply the adequate blood flow. The amazing part is that the heart executes all these, with no conscious effort on your part, through a complex nervous and hormonal feedback regulation system. Everything is so remarkably and uniquely designed whether you are aware or not. Take your hands for example- the appearance of which doesn’t seem much intriguing but the anatomy and function of it is fascinating to the core. The hands are capable of lifting bulky weights, and also pass the thread through the eye of a needle.
Instead of sheer acknowledgement of the marvel of the creation and function, we seem too much absorbed with what we invent, and too little impressed with what has been created within us. St. Augustine aptly noted, “Men go abroad to wonder at the height of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of the rivers, at the vast compass of the oceans, at the circular motion of the stars, and pass by themselves without wondering.”
Certainly, we have made immense progress in technology and invention, yet we happen to be much ignorant about nature in general, and about the human body in particular. We have also come a long way from using tools made with stone to using technologically advanced gadgets. The wonderful structure, function and complexity of the human body would remain ever intriguing. It is absolute evidence that man is the workmanship of the divine and ultimate designer. “So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them, male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27). Man is a unique and special creation of God, a masterpiece indeed! God created us and also He determined the times set for us and the exact places where we should live.
The value of man is priceless for which we should be grateful and work for the mission each of us are gifted with. “The best use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts it” said William James. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). We are not random or accidental; instead we are the result of loving and deliberate design. Embrace God’s given handiwork, discover the purpose, cultivate spiritual growth, remain humble, and act with intention and bring a lasting impact in the world around us.
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
The Degree of Thought Column is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. The column explored contemporary social, cultural, political, and educational issues and challenges around us. However, the views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC-accredited, UCG-recognized Commerce and Arts college. Currently, the Degree of Thought Column is managed by the department of Mass Communication, and the editorial team are Dr Jenny Lalmuanpuii, KC Gabriela and Rinsit Sareo. For feedback or comments, please email: dot@tetsocollege.org.
