In the previous article we reviewed briefly the story of man’s creation and the wonders of our amazing eyes. Today we will look at our brains.
The Brain
The brain, one of the most important parts of the body, fits snugly into a strong, protective skull. This skull has some spaces in a newborn baby so that the brain and the skull can both grow as the baby grows. By about 18 months, these spots have closed and the skull is a strong and complete shield for the brain.
There are three main parts to the brain. The largest of these is the cerebrum, which is made up of two halves. The cerebellum is at the back and under the cerebrum, and the brain stem is beneath the cerebrum in front of the cerebellum and connects the brain to the spinal column.
The cerebrum takes messages from all over the body and sends instructions back to our body by the brain stem, telling each part of the body what they are to do at any given moment. It is also the part of our brain that we think with.
The cerebellum’s main job is to keep in touch with all the muscles, telling them when they are to be in action or when to relax and be still. For instance, if you are standing at home plate on a baseball diamond, you don’t think about what is going on inside your brain. But you can’t lift the bat over your shoulder until the cerebellum tells your arm and hand muscles exactly what to do, nor can you swing at a ball unless muscles all over your body have received instructions from your brain. Finally, running off to first base, your entire body is obeying those brain-given instructions without your having to consciously think about it.
The brain stem is important too. One of its chief duties is to see that automatic functions of our bodies continue. This would include breathing, the beating of our hearts, blinking our eyes, digesting food and others.
The duties of every part of the brain are beyond our ability to understand and are more wonderful than all the world’s newest computers put together. And this represents just one area of the Creator’s wonderful provisions for us.
As we think about the amazing brain the Lord gave us, it is also important to think about what we put into it and use it for. David’s prayer in the opening verse is a good one for us to pray each day.
(to be continued)
Did You Know?
The cerebrum is the part of the brain with which we think.
Messages of God’s Love 5/14/2023