Monday, November 12, 2018

Seattle the Musical-Week 3-The Cutting Edge Washingtonian




"Ding"


“Ding... (seconds later) … “ding” … “ding”. OK, it must be important; I mean it’s a three “dinger” right? “HAH, that’s so funny! A cartoon of someone trying to work and their phone keeps going off distracting them from their task…hey, wait a minute…” Sounds familiar right? I have been around technology for over three decades; each year it has succeeded in working harder and harder to pull me away from what I need to be doing, want to be doing, and should be doing. Interesting enough, I even sell technology product: Salesperson #1225824 or something like that anyway.

We even have fancy titles. I am a Solutions Specialist; it is my job to help you find the technology that will be the perfect solution to whatever challenge you are facing. If you are thinking, “there is no perfect solution” or “technology is bad because ___” (fill in the blank); you may be right. However, while it is true technology is not the way to find the “perfect” solution, it can be also true that technology can be a source of great darkness and distraction; does all this make technology inherently wrong or evil?

Jesus is the only true and perfect solution to all of life’s problems, challenges, and pitfalls. He even declared this himself, “I am the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6-7). According to the Bible, there are many things we are told to avoid and stay away from. Sin is sin and there is nothing to debate about that. There are times when we are weak, there are times when we need healing, there are times when we are broken, and we all need to be forgiven for our sinful ways.

So, you might be asking, how might Jesus respond to the technology so readily available today? Jesus in his great commission tells us “…All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20). I fully believe that this is our number one job here on earth; to go forth and make more disciples. Leading others to see, know, and accept God the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit; there is no greater purpose.

The freedom I crave to go and spread the word of Christ can be hampered by the obligations of family, community, and yes work. So how can I “go forth”? You may have guessed it by now: Technology. If you are still reading this, you have already seen me at work for the kingdom of God. I can use technology for good through blogging, posting good messages on social media such as my “November 30 days of Thankful” or scripture used in an appropriate way; not in a way that judges others for not reposting it on their timeline (“You don’t really love Jesus if you don’t repost this”). Sure, I get a laugh from a witty meme and the occasional pun, but instead of spreading darkness, this very same technology can be used for good, spreading love, kindness, and the message of God’s love for us.

One of the most misquoted scriptures in the Bible is in 1Timothy regarding money…it does not say “money is the root of all evil”, it says, “the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). Like money, which is an inanimate object, a tool with no ill intent; so too is technology. It is only when placed in the hands of all mankind does the good or evil intent come to life. You can use the technology, or it can use you… you can choose to turn off the notifications when you are trying to focus, you can propagate positivity, love, and promote the kingdom of God. Or you can let the darkness take over and succumb to the distractions, forward the posts that spread judgment, anger, or discord.

“Ding” … “ding” …Ok that’s it! I am signing out for now and turning off my phone’s notifications. I have work to do. Lord, I pray you will help me to resist the distractions I am too weak to resist on my own. Help me to be a positive force for your kingdom and to not spread anything that is not of you. Show me the way I can use technology to glorify you. AMEN.




~Written by Christian Love

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