I've also been reading a book, In the Likeness of God (originally published as 2 books - Fearfully and Wonderfully Made and In His Image), which my sister-in-law Pauline gave me. This is an awe-inspiring page turner (highly recommended!) co-authored by the late Dr Paul Brand, world-renowned hand surgeon and leprosy specialist, and Philip Yancey.
I love the way they examine the design and describe the beauty of the human body. The body which I take for granted is wonderfully designed, each cell, each organ is perfectly suited for its function in the body.
They then examine what the analogy of the church as the body of Christ means.
"The body is one unit, though it is made up of many cells, and though all its cells are many, they form one body... If the white cell should say, because I am not a brain cell, I do not belong to the body, it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.... If all cells were the same, where would the body be? As it is there are many cells but one body." (Paraphrase of 1 Cor 12:12-20 replacing organs with cells)
"That analogy conveys a more precise meaning to me because though a hand or foot or ear cannot have a life separate from the body, a cell does have that potential. It can be part of the body as a loyalist, or it can cling on to its own life. Some cells do choose to live in the body, sharing its benefits while maintaining complete independence - they become parasites or cancer cells."
