Technology and Your Walk With God

TECHNOLOGY AND YOUR CHRISTIAN WALK (GENESIS 1:1-28)

If the meaning of a thing isn’t known abuse is inevitable. Before anyone can begin to express his or herself in any field, e.g technology, one must first understand what it all entails.

As some words in English were derived from Historic Greek, the word technology is no different as it's gotten from a Greek word called TEKHNOLOGIA. TEKHNO means art, craft or skillfulness of hands while LOGIA means ‘the study of a thing’ or a body of knowledge. So technology could mean the study of a skill or art. Now any studied skill or art put in proper use would always solve a problem. Like sociology (study of human behaviour which could be used to solve integration problems), physiology (study of functions in living organism which could be used to solve medical) or Psychology (study of the mind to solve mental problems).

With this foundation laid we see the modern definition of Technology as ‘the making or creating, modifying or improving with the use of tools or gift sets and systemic techniques TO SOLVE A PROBLEM OR IMPROVE A PRE-EXISTING ONE.

With this I can argue that true technology itself is the solution to a problem. In other words the world wide wed by Tim Berner-Lee was not the technology but the solution it brought inform of making the world a global village, micro-soft by Bill gate and Paul Allen is not the technology but the solution it brought inform of making business more effective and efficient in delivering their services, Facebook by Mark Zuckerberg is not the technology but the solution it brought inform of e-social networking, the aeroplane by the Wright Brothers isn’t the technology but the solution it brought inform of making the world physically accessible in hours.

Now we see that true technology is the solution it brings but it doesn’t end there. From the definition systemic or technique was mentioned. Which means, as the above named famous individuals, when we have gotten a solution to a problem we then need to put in place a system that would continue to replicate the needed solution without us being physically involved? I am sure Mark Zuckerberg doesn’t stay in front of some computer managing all the list of people on Facebook!

GOD AND TECHNOLOGY (GENESIS 1:1-28)

In our verse we see how important technology is because, based on true meaning of technology, we see how God began to introduce solutions. The very first sentence in the entire bible showed God’s technology. It says ‘in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (NIV). The second verse explained the problem which was emptiness, darkness, waste, void of life.

It’s important to note that in vs2, God’s Spirit was hovering or brooding round the face of the earth in the midst of chaos and darkness but nothing happened. He was there but there was darkness. How is it possible that God would be in a place and the would still be darkness. It's like you've being praying and fasting but it seems God isn't answering. Nothing happened until God spoke. Nothing would happen until you take action. Faith by itself (without works) is dead (James 2:14-26).

WE ARE LIKE GOD

Studying the events that took place in Genesis we see that God, in solving problems (Gen1:2), did loads of things: after establishing light or knowledge (which I believe is very important) on the first day, He went on and created the firmaments on the second day; which separated the waters above form that below. On the third day He created dry land or Earth (with vegetation and fruits housing their seeds) and the sea. On the fourth day He created the stars, moon and the sun in the firmament. On the fifth day He created the sea and land creatures and the sixth day He created Man.

During all these events God never for once spoke to Himself until the sixth day in vs26; during the creation of man. He said LET US MAKE MAN IN OUR OWN IMAGE AND LIKENESS.

Now what does all these things mean? What does it mean to be created in Gods image and Likeness?

God’s Image and Likeness

When you stand in front of a mirror or a silver plated object, the person you see on the other side or the reflection is called image. Whilst the image isn't you yourself but it’s a full representation of you. So if anyone sees the image the person has seen you. In other word; whilst we are not God Himself we are a full representation of God on earth (within our uniqueness). So if anyone sees you and the work of your hands he immediately sees God. That’s exactly what Jesus meant, in John14:8-11, when Phillip asked Him to show him the Father. Jesus told him that if you see me and my works you have seen the Father.

In John 4:24, we see that God is spirit and has no physical body. This means that when I look at the mirror the image I see isn't God because God doesn't look like my physical image. The image we are talking about here is the innermost spirit of man which has the capacity to be like God Himself and do the things He can do. So if God create something out of nothing to solve a problem; man can. In other words YOU CAN CREATE SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING…YOU CAN BECOME A KNOWN PROBLEM SOLVER.

STEPS IN CREATING TECHNOLOGY

Remember, the true meaning of technology is embedded in the solution it brings. Below are 5 steps I believe we can create technology.

Acknowledge the problem

The very first step to introducing a solution is to acknowledging a problem. When God came into the scene, in Gen1:2, the whole earth was without form an empty waste and filled with darkness. In see this, God didn’t ignore it or complained He immediately acted by introducing a solution after He hovered round the earth; in verse 3.

Brood on it

The problem must be solved before it is solved! In verse 2b, the bible says the spirit of God was brooding. Brooding is exactly what a chicken does to its eggs; helping to incubate it and preparing it for the time it would hatch and bring forth the little chicks. To brood also means to ponder on a thing…to think.

I can argue that God in his divine realm of eternity first pondered and thought about how the foundation of the earth would be laid…how the firmament would be spread above…how the stars, moon and the sun would be well placed in the sky…how the earth would revolve round these heavenly bodies…how the body of water would be separated from the land…how all the creatures of the sea and land would be formed…how mankind would be created. God first solved the problem before He solved it.

Before you take action on or about anything, especially if the repercussion of the result is huge, you must first ponder on it. Think…Plan and strategize your solution. This stage also involves education or gaining knowledge; especially if the solution is outside the field of your knowledge.

Take action

Like Nike…Just Do It! After you have gone through the second stage the next thing is action. This is when you put your faith in action. The next thing God did after brooding was to act (Vs3). Don't be caught up in the web of analysis-paralysis. Remember Faith without works or action is dead (James2:26)

Reflect on it

This stage is also important. Reflecting on any action would help you improve. In other words when you introduce a solution to a problem, always step back and look at it with the eyes of positive criticism. You could also call in other people for their positive criticism. I believe God did this because after every solution God introduced the bible records that ‘….and God saw that it was good (suitable, pleasant) and He approved it’.

Create a systemic technique in replicating the solution

Lastly, you should create a system, independent of you, to always produce the solution. This is very vital because after this has been achieved you have time in your hands to rest, as God did, and also to go ahead in solving other problems.

Think about it...when a human is giving birth God doesn't run into time, on the fourth day, to get a blue print on human creation. He doesn't need to because He has already set a spiritual system governed by His word to make things happen.