There's an APP for that!

Since I was young child, I have always loved electronics and technology.  It became my passion, and my life’s ambition.  For most of my 44 years of working life, it has been my mainstay and career, along with communications.  I have watched the world go from glowing vacuum tubes to transistors, from transistors to integrated circuits, and from integrated circuits to computer microchips and beyond.  To think, the computing power in the average Smartphone is vastly more than all the on-board computers that took man to the moon and back during the Apollo Space Program.

Over the past 25 years, the advances in technology have moved forward at lightning speed.  For several years it seemed that if you went out and purchased a new computer, it would be obsolete before you got it home, and out of the box.

The hard-wired home phone of the 1970’s has been replaced by an electronic marvel that has progressed from something that required a large leather case, to a small device that can fit in your pocket, be strapped on your belt, or tucked in your purse.  These devices do so many things.  They can our your snapshot camera and video camera, they can do your banking, they can book airline tickets, they can bring you goods and services right to your door, they can provide you the news, they can deliver your mail, they can give you directions to most anywhere with vocal turn-by-turn instructions, they can become your personal movie theater, and they can research almost anything imaginable, and so much more.  There are even apps for pizza delivery. Oh, and I almost forgot, they can even make phone calls.

Since the opening of the Internet to the general public (and to the world) a little over 20 years ago, everything about our lives has changed.  We have come a long way from dial-up modems and private messaging boards. Services, such as America On-Line™ along with MSN and Yahoo Messenger™ are now considered “old school” grand-folk stuff.

All this technology at our fingertips can be a blessing and a curse.  It can keep us connected to family and friends (using social media sites like Facebook™, Twitter™ and Instagram™), make quicker many of our life’s tasks, keep us informed during times of crisis, and can be a wealth of information and increased knowledge. On the other hand it can allow work to creep into our home life (like the camels’ nose coming into the tent), it can distort fantasy from reality, it can diminish our interpersonal skills, and it often can be a gateway to disaster.  

Criminals and sexual predators use it to steal our finances and personal information, and lure our young children into unspeakable sexual exploitation.  A number of recent news stories document, that in any given month, there are more visits to pornography sites than to Netflix™, Amazon™ and Twitter™ combined. Over a third of all Internet bandwidth is used for porn, including child porn.

The under-30 generation can easily be identified by seeing groups of them gazing into the screens of their phones, and communicating with their thumbs, and never saying a word. They communicate by text, and share their lives on social media.

Social Media is also another blessing and curse. On one hand parents and grandparents can see daily pictures of their children and grandchildren, and share their lives in ways that could never be done just a quarter century ago.  Chat Rooms can bring people of common interest together, or they can tear existing relationships apart.  Dating sites are increasingly not being used for two single people to meet and build a meaningful relationship, but to set up “hook-ups,” affairs and other adulterous relationships that break up families and homes.

A recent study done by Michigan State University has found that couples who meet on-line are far more likely to not marry, and those that do marry are three times more likely to divorce than people who were introduced in a more conventional way.  The study also showed that many people looking for new relationships on-line were simply seeking to leave an existing relationship, without really putting any effort in saving the one they were currently in.  They end up treating the new relationship the same way, with a low level of commitment.

So what do us as Christians do?  First, make Christ the center of your life, and NOT your technology.  Recognize that we need to be the master of our technology and not the slave.  Seek God’s leadership on how this technology can improve our families, lighten our workload, increase our productivity, share His gospel, and increase our knowledge and so many other worthy purposes.  Lastly, remember that Jesus Christ is not simply an “APP” that we turn to when we just need or want something, but rather, He is the Son of God seeking a 24/7 relationship with each of us.  The best part about our Lord is this; you don’t need technology or a Smartphone “APP” to find Him. 

If your use of technology, or someone you know, has caused damage in your life or theirs, or has damaged the lives of others, also remember our Lord can help you or that person through that too.   Maybe you have used this technology for a wrongful purpose, it really doesn’t matter, if you want to make things right. Maybe you have let this technology interfere with your spiritual life, your home life, family and other relationships.  God can help you through that as well.  Many like to think they’re anonymous when they are on-line, but nothing could be farther from the truth.  We read in Luke 12:2 these words: “For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.” 

Let us pray.  “Heavenly Father, we thank you for all the gifts, including technology, that can enhance our lives.  Teach us to be good stewards of all the things we possess.  When we have failed You in being good stewards, we humbly ask for your forgiveness.  Lead us, Lord, to glorify You in all we do in our lives, and convict our hearts when we don’t. We thank You for Your love for us, and for sending your Son to redeem the world. Forgive us, and empower us to be all we should be, for we ask this in Jesus name. Amen.”

If what you read meant something to you, or would be helpful to others, please share this with all your friends. You can also find this and other writings at http://bishopbobsblog.blogspot.com.  If you have any comments, share them with me at: bishopbob@provinceoftheholyspirit.com.

Soli Deo Gloria!

“To God Alone Be the Glory!”

+Bob