Human body is under a non-stopping cycle of activities in order to meet the demands of day-to-day life. Each tissue-type undertakes its designated duty with extreme precision to maintain the living going. Amazingly, in order for the human being to remain as living, the cells have to be ceaselessly kept ‘alive’ at the molecular level. One of the ways by which the body achieves this is by renewing the cells.

The age of the cells in the body varies depending on their functions. For example, the cells (epithelial cells) which line the gut have a life-span of approximately 5 days.  The liver, which is the most important organ in terms of buffering up toxins from every food consumed, undergoes a complete replacement of its tissue approx. every 1 year (300-500 days). Every 10 years, we have a new skeleton due to bone remodelling. Similarly, in 2 weeks time, your current skin will be completely replaced by a new skin, that is, you will be someone with a renewed skin!

In reality, the physical body of a middle-aged person, for instance, is approximately only 10 years of age. Nonetheless, the individuals feel and behave their birth age i.e. the length of time since birth, which is older than their physical body. Researchers have endeavoured closely to identify the cause for such decoupling between the person’s age and the age of their physical body. Some of the evidence posits that the cells of the cortex (a part of the brain involved with memory, perception and consciousness) remain stable or exhibit minimal variation throughout the life of the individual. This infers that the individuals retain previous information and make a reference to this in temporal (time) dimension thereby gaining the sense of their age.

Man’s fall in the Garden of Eden entailed changes in the areas of perception and consciousness (Gen 3), which are abilities sustained by relatively inert cells in the brain as explained above. Then, the argument could be that the build up of the past experience as registered by the cortical tissue modifies and shapes somebody’s thoughts. This, further, brings about the repetition of action leading to a behaviour perceived to be stable and safe by the individual. It is more than likely that soon a rigid pattern of actions develops limiting the likelihood of embarking on an adventure which restricts the possibility of freshness in experience.

Hence, the most pertinent point is to continually remain in renewal. That is why it is written in the Bible, Romans 12:2: ‘…be transformed by the renewing of your mind…’ Continually rinsing the mind with the Word and holding fast to all which is pure, noble and excellent purges (a friend likes this word – I am sure they know who they are) the old mind transforming it to the standards of the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16: ‘…But we have the mind of Christ.’ There are multiple presentations and publications relating renewal with the life of the Eagle which reminds us also the dire price of the process. Even so, to enjoy the advantages of the present, renewal is imperative.

Yet, physical body does not persist in its vitality and appearance during an individuals’ life span either. One of the hypotheses that explain the reason behind the decline on the rate of cellular renewal leading to regression of physical body is the accumulation of mutations (errors) in the DNA (both cellular and mitochondrial). It is inevitable, consequently, for tissues of the body to lose their elasticity and rate of turnover. However, senescence is not necessarily lack of renewal; rather it is a lack of efficient and adequate renewal. That means, renewal continues until the end. Without renewal there is no life. Likewise, renewal of thoughts in accordance with the good news of the Word keeps a Man truely alive.

Therefore, perhaps the opportunity to renew the mind will have just began when we meet somebody again and remember that they possess a renewed physical body which reminds us that they are not the same as we met them last time. They are renewed. The unyielding process and power of renewal is at work in an individuals’ life – even when it is not noticeable – enabling survival.

‘Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no-one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.’ Isaiah 40:28-31.

Illuminated

The original article was initially published on blogspot.com in 2011.

EA