We are divinely engineered
http://journal.christianscience.com/web-originals/2013/we-are-divinely-engineered
Mary Baker Eddy states in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, “Christ’s Christianity is the chain of scientific being reappearing in all ages, maintaining its obvious correspondence with the Scriptures and uniting all periods in the design of God” ( p. 271). Have you ever wondered about this “design”?
As a mechanical engineer, I often write design specifications. A product’s specifications encompass the full nature and essence of that unique product. They outline requirements of what can and cannot be included in the creation of the object to ensure that it is of equal quality to the original design. Once manufacturing is complete, the product will perform according to specifications. This is not because of a set of rules or laws imposed on the product after the fact, but because specific qualities and functionality were built in by design.
So I wondered, what do the Scriptures say about the “specifications” for God’s design of His idea, man? In Genesis 1, we learn that God not only made everything good, but that man is made in God’s image, after His likeness ( verses 26, 27). Recently, I came across another unique set of specifications in the Bible- Exodus, chapter 20, verses 3-17. I know what you’re probably thinking. Doesn’t everyone know the Ten Commandments, and that they are the laws of God which He requires man to abide by? Yes, that is one way to read them. But they can also be seen as depicting man’s true nature and essence as created in God’s image, and as subject to God’s unchanging law and care.
Similar to the language of the Ten Commandments, when engineers write specifications, there are two common phrases used to ensure that all requirements are met. These terms are “shall” and “shall not.” For example, specifications for a bicycle frame might require that “the frame shall be constructed of double butted chromoly steel tubing,” or it might specify that the complete bike “shall not weigh more than 18 pounds.” This language guarantees that these specifications are built into the product and are not subject to change or deviation.
God’s design for His creation is established before we even see our day unfold.
The First Commandment in the Bible specifies, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” ( Exodus 20:3). How do I know this is a specification? Because it contains a form of the auxiliary verb shall. In this case it is the “shalt have no.” To me, it means that God created man without the nature or capability to worship other gods. Or to put it in the positive, man’s spiritual nature is to worship the one and only, God. According to this first specification, no other possibility is allowed.
The Second Commandment further specifies that God’s man is created without the ability to make graven images or to worship false deities. God gives His creation the ability to discern the difference between Truth and error, and to avoid the pitfalls of worshipping false gods. Man’s ability to choose how to worship is not limited, but rather God blesses man with the understanding that there is no value in worshipping false gods.
As we go through the Commandments, we learn just how complete God’s design is. For example, we read about the “Sabbath,” and this means that God gives us the time to rest and commune with Him and not be distracted (see Exodus 20:8). With the command “Thou shalt not kill” ( Exodus 20:13), we see that man is created without the ability to harm, hurt, or destroy any of God’s creation.
To me, the specification that man shall not commit adultery is truly amazing. I tend to look at this specification in a much broader spectrum. The word adultery comes from the word to adulterate which means “to make impure.” Using this definition, we begin to see that man is made pure in nature and essence-not just free from sexual immorality, but from all forms of adulteration which would try to limit man from receiving and expressing God’s love. In God’s image, man is made free from immorality, addiction, hate, dishonesty, pride, and anything else that would adulterate his purity.
The Commandments further specify that God designed His children not to steal, covet, or bear false witness against their neighbors (see Exodus 20:15-17). This is because every need of man has already been supplied by God. As the Apostle Paul explains later in the Bible, “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” ( Philippians 4:19). And part of that supply includes the ability to see God’s creation accurately. God blesses man with ability to see all of creation in its infinite, spiritual glory, beauty, and grandeur. This complete supply eliminates any possibility for man to be dissatisfied with God’s creation.
These specifications can be a useful tool with which to start the day in prayer because they acknowledge our perfection as God’s children. God’s design for His creation is established before we even see our day unfold. Sometimes it feels easier said than done, but we really don’t need to try to control our day because each aspect of our lives is as God designed it.
I often use the Commandments to help me understand how to see not only myself, but everyone I interact with as under God’s loving care. Whenever I’m presented with a situation where it seems as if man has qualities that do not meet these specifications, I look back at the Commandments, acknowledge God’s perfect design, and pray to align my thought with this spiritual truth. This allows me to be open to seeing God’s creation as He sees it. Striving to better understand that God created all His children never to deviate from their innate perfection opens thought to see that we are lovingly, divinely “engineered,” made to our Creator’s exact specifications.