James 24:7

The Bible says that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" and after today I believe it more than ever.  We went to see "The Bodies Exhibition"  at the Atlanta Civic Center and all I can say is "Wow!"  If you get a chance go and see it.

Specially prepared human bodies are the main draw of the exhibition. They are situated in different ways to give a clear picture of how bones, muscles, organs and nerves are inter-connected.  (Click on the hyperlink above and you'll see what I mean.) 

Surprisingly, unless you are really squeamish, all of those bodies set in different poses to illustrate certain points are not as hard to view as you might think.

When you first walk in you see a full human skeleton and several exhibits of bones and organs.  I was really impressed with how tiny the stirrup of the ear is.  (And, yes,  it really looks like a stirrup!) 

In the next room you see legs, arms, hands and feet in different stages of dissection along with several bodies set up to display how muscles, tendons and ligaments all hook up. (I tried to diagnose the foot pain I feel sometimes.  I think I have a cable or a pully out of place!)

In the next room you see various organs- both healthy and diseased- as well as a fully displayed central nervous system that has been carefully lifted out of a body and laid out like a wedding veil.  (More bodies too!)

The next room features the circulatory and glandular systems and you think how much like coral all of these veins and arteries look.  (And...you guessed it...more bodies!)

Then you enter the room showing the human reproductive system and then walk straight into an unbelievable exhibit detailing the growth of an unborn child.  Some of the exhbits employ certain dyes so you can see the skeletal development of the unborn.  Unreal...such tiny, tiny bones in the hands and feet...the ribs and spinal cord clearly visible.

I ran into myself in the fat room but we won't go there!  Let's just say they showed me how well insulated I am!

I was struck by how quiet, even reverent, the visitors were.   I think everyone felt a sense of awe.  I only heard one little boy exclaim, "Dad!  Is that his...(everyone held their breath)...belly button?" 

 Mass exhalation.

I will tell you this ...the human body is fearfully and wonderfully made and way beyond intricate, amazing and complex.  However, absent the light of the human spirit, the expressiveness of emotion, the nuance of personality...

Well, let me put to you this way...Have you ever stood next to a casket only to hear the person next to you ask, "My, my don't he look good?"  And have you ever wanted to say, "No, he looks dead"?

Well...that's the feeling you get.

The real mystery is this...as incredible as the human body is, how do we account for the life that animates it with joy and sadness and disappointment?  How do we account for dream and hopes and aspirations?

Is that just the firing of neurons or is that truly something of the divine image and likenes?

I say the latter....

Anyway the exhibit is worth seeing.  Parts of it will remind you of a college biology lab.  Other parts of it will blow your mind (or at least your corpus callosum...ahem.)

Unless you are a huge fan of biology, I wouldn't travel hours to see it only.  Add the new Georgia Aquarium, take in a Braves game and you've made a good trip.

Oh...and come to see us at North River Church in Lawrenceville!