I have been reading articles about how our food affects the biochemistry of our bodies. The Lord created intricate, interrelated systems that regulate our body functions down to the cellular level. Many of these systems are inter-balanced with others. For example, calcium needs magnesium to get the best results. Women have to replace calcium after losing estrogen from the body through surgery, chemotherapy, or aging. If we choose not to add calcium to our diet, our bones and other body functions may suffer. And calcium is just one element.
This made me pause and thank the Lord for being “fearfully and wonderfully made.” (1) A good part of this is the way He keeps everything in balance. If we put the right food in our bodies, exercise, sleep, and try to keep the stress level down, we steward our bodies. The Lord made us stewards of the earth. This includes the body that holds the Holy Spirit.
The Lord created every fruit, vegetable, tree, and plant organism with a delicately balanced biochemistry. They have DNA to tell them how to grow and when to bear fruit that is good to eat.
When I walk through the woods and fields, I see a balanced ecosystem. Only disease disrupts the balance. When I examine the structure of the plants along the trail, I see a pattern to their form and growth. Trees and plants reach a specific height and width, and their root systems mimic that pattern. Leaves grow on branches either in a whorl-like pattern such as the maiden-hair fern or swirled around the stem such as the trillium.
Sometimes the leaves sprout on the branch opposite each other, such as with the holly and sumac.
On other stems, the leaves grow out at different sides of the stem but wrap themselves around the stem in an orderly pattern. Even the thorns of a rose have a specific pattern to their appearance on the stem.
Everywhere you look in nature, there is balance and organization. The mountains rise from the ground and march through the countryside. There are similar chasms under the sea. Our planet is not flat. Every plant has a place to grow. Every rock has an origin and place to exist. Rainwater falls on the mountains and valleys and travels the rivers to help fill the ocean. The ocean level is fixed. The Lord determined the boundary of the ocean, how far the waves can go. (2)
We may have storms that add water to the oceans, but they can only overflow the land up to a certain point. The Lord will not flood the earth again.
Every created plant, animal and human being was done with care, balance and order. All of this the Lord does out of love. Don’t miss the brilliant design all around you. He deserves our thanks.
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
Psalm 139:14 ESV
- Psalm 139:14
- Proverbs 8:29
