A while back, I watched a video that, through visual effects, tried to explain the true scale of the data we consume, from floppy disks to 1TB microSD cards. The presenter, Wren, even quantified how much data we use per year. By 2022, when the video was published, we were using about 10 zettabytes of data a year (a zettabyte = 1 Billion TB). Other interesting factoids included that a server can store up to 2.5 petabytes of data (a petabyte = 1000 TB), among many others. I encourage you to watch the video if you have 15 minutes to spare.
However, what fascinated me most was how he concluded the video. He compares all the man-made forms of data to the data contained within the human body. He shows how all the world’s data pales compared to the data contained in an average 1.7-meter-tall human being. For example, our brain alone has the same data as a server of 2.5 petabytes. However, what blew my mind is that the DNA strands within us can store the world’s data for at least 37 billion years. In other words, if the data that we currently produce worldwide were to remain the same amount yearly, we could store all of that data in a single human body’s DNA for 37 billion years. Mind you, the world’s data is already too great to quantify. Now imagine multiplying that by 37 billion. Such figures only serve to cement the fact that we don’t exist by chance. Since all data has to have a source, it is true of us also, especially in light of this information.
My hope with this article is to show you how the intricacy of our human bodies proves God’s existence, trustworthiness and majesty.
Proof of God’s Existence
As I have already stated, all data has to have a source. Data usually doesn’t just materialise from thin air; someone has to create it. To have that intricate complexity of ones and zeros, someone had to create it. Also, to have such large-scale data fit in a chip as small as a fingertip, someone had to have done that work. This fact is even more true of humans. The fact that a single human frame can store up to 37 billion years of the world’s yearly data means we weren’t created by chance.
The fact that within us, we have multiple processes all occurring at once can only mean one thing: we were created not by chance but by a Grand Designer. A Designer who intricately shaped and fashioned us in our mothers’ wombs (Psalm 139:13-14). He is the One who intricately wove us in the depths of the earth (Psalm 139:15). Therefore, none of us can run from the fact that we exist because God made us. Denying this truth is akin to questioning our existence as something cannot exist out of nothing. You must have been made. That might lead one to conclude that God was created, but we have an article that helps answer that assertion. Therefore, as Paul said to the people of Lystra (Acts 14:17) and to the Romans (Romans 1:20), God is never without witness.
If you think you can run from all his witnesses, think again. Your own body is actually his ultimate witness. As a previous article argued, even the body’s death is a witness to him.
We are Not our Own
It not only proves his existence, but it also shows that since He exists, we are not our own. That maybe, just maybe, the God who intricately wove and knit us owns us. However, even if we try to compare with the accomplishments of human ingenuity, they all pale in comparison. Our brain alone is as powerful as a server. I would dare to argue that it is even more powerful as it powers up to 37 billion years’ worth of data. Let’s even peel back the 37 billion number. I am not talking about data consumed by one person but by almost 7 billion people. All of that is within one tiny human frame. Indeed, nothing we do could ever reach such proportions.
Since nothing we do can compare, then it means we cannot move, breathe or exist on our own. God is the one who enables us to do all these things (Acts 17:28). Since that is true, anything but turning to God for salvation is a fruitless endeavour. As in the end, we will have to answer to him for all that he afforded us (1 Corinthians 4:7). Therefore, my plea is that you continue to strive to produce an output that is pleasing to him. The only way you will be able to do that is through faith in Christ and repentance (Acts 17:29-31). You are God’s intricately woven workmanship; therefore, understand that more is expected from you.
God Alone is Worthy of our Trust
The complexity of our bodies proves that God alone is worthy of our trust. He who gave us such a powerful brain that can power an even more powerful body has proven himself. When he says we aren’t to lean on our understanding but to trust him, he knows what he is saying. How can we trust or lean on our understanding when what we can conjure up by the understanding God has given us cannot even comprehend the complexity of how God made us? His intricate weaving of us means he will go above and beyond for us in the same way that a good father is considered trustworthy by his children.
However, Hebrews 12:7-11 shows us that God goes far beyond what our earthly fathers do. Our earthly fathers care for us as it seems best to them, but God knows what is best for us. He knows what we need before we actually do. He knows our hearts better than we do, for he made them (Psalm 139:1-5). His knowledge for us is so grand that, as the psalmist says, we cannot attain it (Psalm 139:6). Since that is true, why not just entrust ourselves to he who intricately wove us and through his Son has provided a cure for our stubborn disease-–sin (Isaiah 53:1-9). Turn and hold fast to the One who has made and given you unlimited access to himself; he is faithful (Hebrews 4:16; 10:22-23).
God’s Majestic Nature
Our existence serves to point at his majestic nature. Understand something: God didn’t create us because he needed us (Acts 17:24-25). Instead, we display his glory and nature (Psalm 19:1, Romans 1:20; 11:33-36). That he could make us so intricately proves that he is far beyond us. This is why Isaiah could confidently say that God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:6-9). Therefore, seek Him while he can still be found.
I have already given you the numbers as pertain to the human body. Now multiply that number by 8.2 billion. After you do, realise we have barely scratched the surface as I have not added everything else that exists on our planet, the billions of galaxies in the universe and the scale of the universe. Finally, we must understand that God isn’t bound by time as we are, for he created it. Once you grasp all that, the complete picture of God’s majesty becomes clear. You cannot escape this reality even if you try. As I said earlier, you can try to run from it, but your existence is enough proof.
If you want to grow your awe of God continuously, consider these exhortations and incorporate them into your daily meditations. This way, you will say with David, “How majestic is God’s name” (Psalm 8:9).
To the Ends of the Earth
This leads me to conclude that our bodies’ intricacy makes Psalm 8, especially verse 4, stand out. The Lord is so mindful of us that he imbedded us with enough data to run the world billions of times. That truth should make the proclamation of Psalm 8:8 even more heightened. Truly, how majestic his name is on all the earth! These truths should bring us to our knees, realising that we have nothing better to do with our lives than to live for God’s glory and proclaim his majesty to all the world. People like Isaiah (Isaiah 49:1,5) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:5) understood this clearly. You may be inclined to say ‘Well, that’s different since they were prophets’. However, Matthew 28:18-20 and Ephesians 2:10 would beg to differ.
We have been called to walk in the good works God prepared for us in ages past and to proclaim his majesty to those who don’t believe. We haven’t been given this role in a vacuum, for we have the enabling power of the Holy Spirit and Christ’s example to follow. Therefore, if you haven’t put your faith in Christ, I urge you to turn to him today, repent of your sins, trust in him and obey his commands. Once in Christ, we can rest assured that our bodies will be made even more intricate in the age to come (Philippians 3:21). Until then, may we never cease to marvel at God’s beautiful handiwork, our bodies. May our bodies remind us to boldly speak of God’s existence, trustworthiness and majesty.
