Digital devices may be wireless, but their users are
hard-wired. From phone to tablet to television, the hyper-linked are showing no sign of slowing down.
The Millennials are the first generation to grow up so hyper-connected. In a George Barna survey, they
identified technology as that which distinguishes them most. But when
asked what they feel is lacking in their lives, they identified “meaningful”
relationships. It would seem that so-called hyper-connections are starting
to fray around the edges—texters and tweeters are feeling under-connected in ways that matter to them!
Three thousand years ago, David discovered the ultimate connection: “face
time.” “When you
said, Seek my face; my heart said unto you, your face, LORD, will I seek… there is none on
earth that I desire beside you” (Ps. 27:8; 73:25). Whatever generation we are, and whatever high-tech toys we enjoy, we must be careful not to get so distracted that we deprive ourselves of our most hyper connection.
I mentioned last week that Altha and I had visited a Greek Orthodox Monastery. The quiet and solitude was a stark contrast to 21st century noise-filled lifestyles. So accustomed to the non-stop sounds of TV, radio, iPods and cell phones, people find no place for silence. Moreover, there is the the mental “noise” of social networking, emailing, texting and tweeting.
When was the last time you heard silence?—the sound of nothing, being alone with your thoughts. Part of the purpose of a daily “quiet time” is to quiet your mind of distractions and open your spirit to hear from the Lord. In the late 1950’s A.W. Tozer wrote: “God is having a difficult time getting through to us because we are a fast-paced generation. We seem to have no time for contemplation. We have no time to answer God when He calls.” I wonder what Tozer would think about today’s digitally distracted generation?
To be “well-connected” used to mean that someone was connected by blood or close acquaintance with people of wealth and influence. Now it means you have a lot of apps on your iPhone. I think “well-connected” is an accurate way to describe someone who hears from God every day. But our digital connections are making it more difficult than ever to be still, and know God (Ps. 46:11).
This week a Japanese bank announced it will be installing about a dozen automated teller machines that will scan customers' hands for identity. I have to hand it to the Japanese: they’ve certainly found a handy way to get cash. And besides that, no one will have to worry about their debit card falling into the wrong hands!
If this “hand scanning” thing catches on, it could change our vocabulary. For example, if your wife needs money to go shopping, she’ll say, “can you give me a hand?” And that homeless guy who sits in front of Lucky's will have a sign that reads, “I’m looking for a hand out.” And bank tellers may sound like cops when they say, “put your hands where I can see them.”
Now before this post gets completely out of hand, let me offer a more serious observation. It seems to me this biometric scan has a somewhat apocalyptic ‘feel’ to it. And while it may not be a chip implant, it could advance Antichrist’s agenda toward a global marketplace (“mark of the beast”). But it also occurs to me that the more things in this world get out of hand, the earthlings will be employing technology to take matters into their own hands. But we have peace, knowing that our life and times are in His hand (Ps. 31:15), the one who opens His hands and meets our needs (Ps. 145:16).
I read the other day that Sweden will be the first nation to operate its entire economy without cash. Banks and businesses will operate as a digital marketplace.
Of course the reason this catches my attention (and now yours) is that it lines up with the prophecy concerning the “Mark of the Beast” (Rev 13:18) without which no one will be able to buy or sell! I’ve so stated in this blog before that many economists believe we are heading towards a unified, interdependent global economy. And of course a major component of that would be a new digital currency and a secure, unique personal identification system. When these two components are in place, the prophecy can be realized.
The U.S. and E.U. are also moving toward a cashless economy. It used to be important to carry cash with you all the time. But now, all you need is a plastic card in your wallet. But sooner than you may think, plastic card and wallet manufacturers will go out of business because everything will be stored on a chip in your smart phone, a chip, by the way, that can also be surgically placed under your skin. When the Beast will show up with his mark is anyone’s guess, but Sweden's progress toward a digital marketplace is a sure sign that it is soon.
Things are moving too fast. Every year newer, faster digital devices replace the old ones. Sitting at Starbucks, with my 3-year old laptop, next to young people with I-Pads and Tablets makes me feel self-conscious. I imagine they must be thinking, “He’s just an old man; what do you expect?”
The first personal computer I ever bought sits on the book shelf in my library. I just can’t bring myself to throw it out—after all, it's an antique—an original Apple Macintosh (circa, 1984). It’s now a dinosaur, of course. But undoubtedly, the laptop from which I am writing at this very moment will also be a dinosaur in twenty-seven years. It’s only a matter of time before the PC goes the way of typewriters, cassette recorders, and 8-tracks, as the sale of hand-held mobile devices already outpaces them. And you can bet the PC's days are numbered by the invention of “gizmos” that Steve Jobs and the like haven’t even dreamed up yet!
So what is my point? Everything in the world is passing away (John 2:17). Everything has a limited existence on this Earth. Nothing lasts forever. Our life on earth is a temporary assignment. “Our days are numbered… we are here on earth for just a little while” (Psalm 39:4; 119:19). Let us, then, “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen; for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Cor. 4:18).
