Penny Heyns: Uniquely You

We
have all heard or been told at some point in our lives that we are unique and
that there has never been anyone exactly like you in the existence of mankind,
and therefore you must have a specific role to play in this world, a divine
destiny so to speak. Perhaps you find it easy to believe that statement, or you
may be someone who doesn’t quite agree with this belief.

I
am not going to try and convince you of how unique and special you are, but
rather wish to merely share with you some really fascinating and mind blowing
facts about the Human body (some of which you may realise, and some perhaps
not).

Please
don’t let the immense numbers that I am about to quote overwhelm you.  Rather read and later perhaps re-read the
facts and as you do I trust that the awesomeness of your created body will blow
your mind.  Please also remain open to
the idea, even if it is just for the sake of this article and as an exercise,
that you have indeed been intricately created by a Creator, and that you are
not the mere result or product of a random process. 

Let’s
just ‘wonder’ at the intricate complexity of our physical body and for once
perhaps entertain the thought that ‘Someone’ had you in mind and designed you
exactly as you are, unique as you are, for a specific purpose and destiny.

Ok,
here goes…. Some facts about your body that will blow your mind…. Hopefully!

Let’s
start at the beginning.  Firstly, you are
already a champion just by the fact that you are alive.  Why do I say
this?  Because biology confirms this in
that before you were even conceived, half of you (your Fathers donated sperm
cell), had to swim the race of your life … against millions of other ‘sperm
cells’ … and YOU won!  This winning Sperm
cell then joined with your other half (Your Mom’s egg) to form a brand new cell
(YOU) 

Why
is this newly formed cell, a combination of Dad and Mom, so unique?  It is because each sperm cell has a totally
different combination of 23 Chromosomes. 
The one that ‘won’ the race thus donated a totally unique combination of
Chromosomes, to combine with mom’s unique 23 chromosomes, thus making a brand
new, first ever in the history of planet Earth, combination cell consisting of
46 Chromosomes – Conception has now occurred. [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][Nothing random about that in my
opinion].

The
amazing process of growth now begins with this one cell, which contains your
unique DNA (Blueprint for your entire body and who you are), starting to form
new cells, all with different functions. This initial new cell has one
important function. That is to tell all the other cells what they are.  Some are Heart cells, some brain, some liver,
some blood etc.

Your
body is made up of a total of 75 Trillion deferent cells. 50 000 of these cells
die and are replaced every 4 – 5 seconds of every day.

25
Trillion of the 75 trillion cells in your body are Red Blood Cells.  They are the oxygen carriers and only live a
total of 120 days before dying and needing replacement.

25
Billion of the 75 Trillion cells in your body are your White Blood Cells. They
are responsible for your immunity and each live only a mere 12 hours before
being replaced by new cells manufactured in your bone marrow.

Your
body has to thus make 50 billion new white blood cells every 24 hours. [Now we
can see why we need to eat healthy foods and ensure we get enough rest].

Remember,
this is the process that ordinary people go through every day.  I wonder how much more intensely the athlete’s
body then needs to work, and hence the need for additional rest and nutrition.

Your
circulatory system consists of 75 000 miles of arteries, veins and capillaries
all of which have the important function of transporting your blood to and from
every single cell in your body. In other words, if you were to roll out your
total circulatory system you could stretch it around the earth a total of three
times.  Amazing!

As
scientists delve deeper to study the microscopic details of a single cell we
find that the miracle of the Human body only becomes more incredible and awe
inspiring.

Scientists
have found that each cell (out of the 75 Trillion cells that make up your body)
is extremely complex. 

Each
single cell contains around 50 Billion Atoms, each made up of hundreds and
thousands of Proteins. (Proteins are responsible for telling the cell what it
does, its function).

Every
protein intern consists of thousands of amino acids which form to make up a
molecular chain.  Now if one single
molecule making up this chain is in the wrong place or damaged, the entire CELL
shuts down.   

When
I first understood this complex delicate detail of a single cell, I knew that there
is no way I can believe I am anything but intricately woven together in my mother’s
womb just as the psalmist says in the Word of God in Psalm 139.

[Read
it sometime – note how hands on God was as He specifically and uniquely knitted
together and formed you in your mother’s womb]. 
Wow!

Perhaps
you still think you are just the result of random selection…. Evolution or something…

Let’s
look at the human eye for a moment. 
Scientists say that the Human eye is the most complicated and
computerised mechanism we can fathom.

Your
Retina is made up of a total of 120 million Rods and Cones.

At
five months of development in the mother’s womb, one million optic nerves start
moving out from the optic centre of the brain while at the same time one
million nerve fibres start moving out of the flesh of the eyeball, toward each
other. These optic nerve fibres have to find each other and match up perfectly.
Each fibre has to find its exact partner and match up before you ever see a
single thing.

At six months your eye lid is formed.  Until then your eyes are solidly shut,
covered over with skin.

Scientists
say that ‘Mysteriously’ (their word by the way): "A "blade" appears and slices
the piece of skin exactly in half, thus forming two perfect eye lids. Lastly,
at seven months your eyelashes and eyebrows are formed, to complete the eye."

I
could write several additional facts for you but I fear this article will then become
too long. 

My
aim was to share just some of these facts in the hopes of making you somewhat
aware of the truth that you are fearfully and wonderfully MADE.  You were created and have each, more than
just physically built for your purpose, also been equipped with a Spirit and
Soul so as to enable you to fulfil all that you are designed and destined for.

Sport
is a privilege that allows us to, perhaps more than others, realise our unique
physical gifting.  We are to respect our
own bodies. Take care what you eat and how you live. Be good to yourselves and
celebrate your talents with reverential attitudes of thankfulness and above all
Love. Love for yourselves, your fellow competitors and above all, your Creator,
for love is the energy that ultimately propels us toward  true success, that being the attainment of
your Creators perfect will for your life.

*
Much of this information was learnt from a 2 Part DVD I recently watched titled
"ALIVE" by Louie Giglio.  Should be
available at any Christian Bookstore.  I
highly recommend watching both the ‘Alive’ DVD as well as ‘Indescribable’ where
Louie explores the Known Universe with stunning photos taken by the HUBBLE
Space telescope, compliments of NASA.

Also
Mind-blowing stuff.  Enjoy!  

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