Where is God Amidst this Techno-Centered World?
by Lisa S. Mathew
Flat Screen computers, high speed internet connection, DSL, two-ways, Nextel's, Hand Held Devices, Digitally Enhanced Images, Satellite Radio- these terms that have only existed within our current vocabulary for a matter of milliseconds, are just some of the present "hot" topics at hand. Everyday with the advent of new technologies, the list
continues to grow longer. Our society has truly become a techno-centered, information based world heavily dependent on gadgets that were created to make our lives easier, faster and more efficient. What is astonishing and more so alarming is the rapid rate at which this technical revolution has infiltrated our lives.
As machine now begins to replace man, human interaction is lost in the process. Even more importantly, where does Jesus fit into the general picture of this new technological society? It is too easy to give Jesus a secondary role as we become more dependent on technology, and as Christians it is important that we address this issue.
With every new invention on the market, is becomes evident that its predecessor must be discarded because it has become too slow, too big, and too outdated. Companies are trying to capitalize on the new commodity of choice: the value of one's time. This competition for one's time has taken away from the time that we give to God. How valuable is our time if it does not give us spiritual rewards and allow us to grow?
Today, there is a need to always have the most up-to-date technologies because of the fear of being left behind in the race. This overwhelming fear has caused us to discard more important things in our lives. Have we categorized God as being too "outdated" for our lives? Have Christian values become too troublesome to fit into our lifestyles? Where have prayer, spiritual growth and the mission to spread the Word gone?
In a world that is filled with a multitude of information, data and technology, it is hard to find something that stands alone as being genuine and true. Within the complexities that surround our lives, there is an answer that is quite simple: Jesus has always been the Way, the Truth and the Life. The only thing that has remained timeless and has survived through every sort of revolution in history- political, social, industrial has been the presence of our Lord. His teachings still hold relevance and meaning in our lives today. Technology may have certainly made our lives easier, but it is only through Jesus that we can make our life more fulfilling and satisfying.
My generation has been in the middle of this enveloping technological revolution, and every generation that follows has become more techno-savvy than the last. As youth, we are definitely more dependent on our cell phones, digital television, pagers, and laptops than our parents. When any of these gadgets lose battery life, not only are frustrated but we are frantic with fear that we are losing out on something. In the same sense, if we do not put God as a priority in our lives and become dependent on Him, we will be "losing out" on the rewards of His presence in our lives. The Bible says, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you " Matthew 6:33.
One way we can begin to put God's Kingdom first, especially in today's age is to realize where our priorities lie and to give time for God. As difficult as this task may be, we need to turn everything off: the pagers, television, radio, and cell phones. What remains is something we may have forgotten: the power of silence. Silence can be a wonderful time to pray and strengthen our relationship with God. Unlike technology, it may be not the easiest, fastest or most efficient thing to do but spiritual growth does not come about without struggle, questioning or the courage to go down paths that are not always the easiest to travel. A flip of a switch is all it takes to start the beginning of a spiritual journey and to give God the top priority in your life. Good luck and God bless!
Source: Malankara Deepam - 2003
