Hard skeletal bones are made to maintain the shape of the human skeleton. Their strength is designed to free us for movement and not restrict. This chapter compares bone structure to the rules set down in the Ten Commandments. With a fresh and inspiring interpretation, Yancey suggests we read the first commandment, 'You shall have no other Gods before me'

(Ex 20:3) as a positive affirmation of God's all-encompassing and satisfying love, rather than a negative retort. We do not need to look to anyone else but God for our provision, as his sacrificial gift of life and love are enough.

healing fractures

As a missionary doctor in India, Dr Brand met many other missionaries, and their stories are recounted in the book with enthusiasm. One such case was Mrs S, a lady whose fractured femur, of several months duration, was refusing to heal and required metal plating. The post-op X-rays several months later still revealed a worrying space between the femur ends and left Dr Brand puzzled. However, in a detailed history she mentioned her radiotherapy, 20 years previously, for a soft tissue tumour in the same thigh. This gave the doctor hope and after several bone grafts the femur was finally healed.

This growth and regeneration of the skeleton reminds us of the processes that occur throughout our Christian lives. Can we compare the ossification of our bones to our ongoing journey with Christ, cementing our faith and trust in him as we encounter Him more? God uses the Bible, other Christians and life's challenges as our calcium and vitamin D, to help ossify the framework of our faith. In such a way the teachings of Jesus and the Bible become firmly integrated into your very being, your spiritual skeleton.

How exciting to think that as young Christians we are kitted out with basic skeletons, flexible and pliable, and that over time and with the input of our Father and other Christians we can become a solid, firm structure with the ability to bless God's creation.

Is it any wonder that the psalmists, and Christians throughout the ages, have been in such awe of God's beautiful and precise creation?

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Ps 139:14)