There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.
Albert Einstein
Computers are miracles to me. I don’t understand how they work. I am thankful for technology. I’m thankful I don’t have to understand the details.
I prefer typing to writing; texting to calling; Internet searching to library research. I am especially thankful for “smart” phones – love carrying a mini-computer in my purse.
As Christians, we are called to reject technicism in all its forms, and work to shape technology in ways that answer God’s call to look after the earth and to show love to our neighbors.
D. C. Schuurman
I remember in the early 80s when I had the opportunity to start the first computer lab in the school where I taught. I remember the excitement, the learning curve, the feeling of adventure. I am not a “digital native,” I am an early immigrant. I’m thankful for new inventions, new discoveries, new miracles in my world, and for the creative minds that developed them.
Imagine this passage in our current society and try replacing “craftsmanship” and other artistic words with graphic design, technology, computer skills …
The Lord said to Moses, “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft.
Exodus 31:1-5 ESV
Technology is an amazing tool! And it can help us connect with people, build relationships, solve problems but it can also do the opposite of those things. It can inhibit our connection with people, prevent real communication, and create problems! “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” God showers us with blessings with the expectation we will use those good gifts to bring shalom nearer, for the flourishing of our sphere of influence.
Technology does make possible advance toward shalom; progress in mastery of the world can bring shalom nearer. But the limits of technology must also be acknowledged: technology is entirely incapable of bringing about shalom between ourselves and God, and it is only scarcely capable of bringing about the love of self and neighbor.
Wolterstorff, 1983
Lord, all gifts come from you, especially our knowledge, creativity, and insight. Thank you for technology, engineering, and scientific exploration and all those to whom you have given those talents. Help me to steward this gift well – using it for your purposes, for Your glory. Amen.
