US Airways Flight 1549 was a regularly scheduled US Airways flight from New York City (LaGuardia Airport) to Charlotte and Seattle. On January 15, 2009, the Airbus A320 serving the flight struck a flock of birds shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia, losing all engine power. Given their position in relation to the available airports and their low altitude, pilot Sullenberger decided to glide the plane into the Hudson River off Midtown Manhattan. All 155 people on board were rescued by nearby boats, with only a few serious injuries. The time from the plane’s engines striking the birds to the ditching in the river was less than four minutes.

The incident quickly became known as "The Miracle on the Hudson" and a National Transportation Safety Board official described it as "the most successful ditching in aviation history"[1].

A miracle.

What is a miracle? The dictionary says it’s “a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefor considered to be the work of a divine agency” [2].

The Bible is full of miracles. In fact, the very first chapter of the Bible starts with a miracle, the miracle of creation and life. God breathed into Adam’s nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul. A miracle that cannot be explained by natural or scientific laws. It can’t be explained by a big bang, dark energy, or millions of years. It can only be the work of a divine agency. 

Scientists have been trying to re-create life for decades. In January 2008 a controversial American scientific entrepreneur, Craig Venter, said that the possibility of a synthetic life form being created in a laboratory had come tantalizingly close to reality. “There are some problems to be overcome, but we are confident that they will be," Dr. Venter said. "I'd be surprised if we couldn't do it in 2008."

Despite scientists’ optimism, their goal has not been reached. Fast forward to 2021 and a group of scientists are still attempting to recreate life by developing a synthetic cell. “Our goal is to know the function of every gene so we can develop a complete model of how a cell works.” [3] However, of the seven genes added to this synthetic cell for normal cell division, scientists know what only two of them do. The roles that the other five play in cell division are not known.  “Life is still a black box”, one of the researchers on the project remarked[4].

Is life a black box? I believe life is a miracle, that will not be recreated by scientists, and is the work of a divine creator. And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7) The creation story is a key building block to understanding the entire Bible. Much of the effort by modern day scientists in attempting to recreate life is to eliminate accountability with this divine creator. If they can prove that life does not require a divine creator, they can dismiss the entire Bible as a work of fiction. This removes the need to answer the sin question, eliminates personal accountability for their actions, and relegates the afterlife to merely a myth.

However, as Christians, we believe that God was the divine creator who created the entire universe, formed Adam and Eve with his hands, and breathed the miracle of life in them. So, what are some truths for us today and how does that belief shape our everyday living? 

1. We are created in the image of God. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” Genesis 1:7 It’s an awe-inspiring thought that God stooped down and formed humans from dust with his all-powerful hand. He still is in the miracle business of creating life. Do I struggle with the thought that I’m not smart? Not cute? Too tall? Too short? Or maybe I think I was born to the wrong parents or born in the wrong country? Meditating on the thought of an all-powerful God who lovingly decided who I would be, what I would look like, where I was born, and who my parents are, can help guide our minds into correct thinking patterns. God alone created me, a masterpiece of His creation. 
2. Life is sacred. From the moment of conception, God starts the miracle of life which scientists can’t duplicate or understand. In this sin sick world, our culture is devaluing life with increasing nonchalance. Wars, murders, mass shootings, and abortions are commonplace. In Genesis 4:10 when Abel was murdered, God thundered, “the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground” How much more must God be angry with the killing of millions of the innocent unborn? As Christians, even the thought of Abortion should be abhorrent. Genesis. 9:6 “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” 
3. We were created to glorify God. Believing that God created us also helps understand the question of our purpose here on life. We must use the miracle of life that God has granted us to honor and glorify Him. We should acknowledge Him in our accomplishments, and always be ready to share with others what He has done in our lives. “Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” Isaiah 43:7
4. We were created for good works. God didn’t just create us to sit around and do nothing! Far from it. Am I involved in life giving works? Feeding the homeless, fathering the orphans, adoption, foster care, teaching, etc. The list goes on and on. We must be busy with our Father’s business. What have I done recently to speak life into some soul? “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.
5. Our life is in God’s hands. The very fact that you woke up this morning and had the strength to face today is a testament to the mercy of God. Have I thanked Him today for this miracle of life? If I knew this was my last day, would it change my priorities for today?  “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” Lamentations 3:22

“Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious…. O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard: Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.” Psalm 66:1-2,8-9

Our great God has given us the miracle of life. What am I doing with this gift?

-Kirby Witmer

[1] https://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=main.textpost&id=C181B19F-8B64-4E01-B68E-96D8F24B16D6

[2] https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803100200612

[3] https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2021/03/scientists-develop-cell-synthetic-genome-grows-and-divides-normally

[4] https://www.biobasedpress.eu/2023/07/life-is-still-a-black-box/