January 5 I Wednesday

Genesis 13-15

Matthew 5:1-26

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”  —Romans 12:2

Over the past year during the pandemic, how many of us would confess that we spent time binge watching on Netflix, Amazon Prime or Disney+ just to escape the daily routines and the monotony of endless lockdowns? For young people, it may be video games that they engage in, as it creates a sense of connectivity with others while trying to accomplish tasks together. For others, it may be social media, scrolling through endless feeds of what is happening in other people’s lives. The truth is: digital addiction can form in our lives and take hold, where the very instrument that can bring convenience into our lives can also be the very instrument that takes us captive and, in actuality, further away from true relationships. 

      When Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk were creating beautiful and functional devices or platforms, they were reflecting the creativity of their Creator. They were being image bearers as they expressed that creativity. At the same time, however, the technology they created could also have an element of control incorporated in it, where at times, even unintentionally because of the reality of sin, it could be used to exercise control over humanity.

      In other words, there is creativity and innovation on the one hand, that reflects the image and likeness of God, which fulfills us and brings us into a greater expression of His purpose for our lives. On the other hand, there is creativity and innovation that seeks to control, which ends up taking us further away from God. We need to evaluate our usage of technology through a biblical perspective, recognizing that there are innovations that reflect the glory of God and lead to a deeper dependence upon Him, and there are innovations that seek to draw us away from God, and replace His work in our lives.

      Technology is not something for us to distance ourselves from, but it does require us to practice discernment in how we use it. There are three questions for us to consider. Firstly, what are the technologies that God is saying, “Like it. It is safe to use. Enjoy it. Embrace it.”? Secondly, what innovations and trends do we see at work in our culture that we need to follow, we need to lean into and we need to have a presence within? Thirdly, as we look around our world, what do we need to unsubscribe from? What is thoroughly unhelpful and seeks to replace God in our life?

      May we seek God for wisdom and discernment in determining which technologies we should like, follow or unsubscribe from. 

Prayer: Glorious God, thank You for giving humanity the ability to be creative and innovative. I ask for Your wisdom and discernment in determining which technologies to like, follow or unsubscribe from.