A scribe angel in Daniel 12:4 told Prophet Daniel, “But Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal it up so that it will not be understood until the end times, when travel and education shall be vastly increased!” [TLB].
It’s crazy how much travel we do on a mass scale, even in the middle of a pandemic. Travel is a beautiful thing—a way to connect with loved ones and friends and relax and unwind. But I hear people tell me they remember a time when the people they connected more with were life-long friends. A lot of this was contributed to people residing in the same town for many years.
It’s also crazy how much technology has increased our ability to be informed in a whole new way. I remember a time when I forgot an actor’s name and my friends and would fumble over trying to remember his name. I would name off the movies he starred in or the way he looked. And we would laugh at the thought of forgetting such a famous actor’s name!
Paul saw this future of the last days, that future is increasingly showing its face now. 2 Timothy 3:1-2 says, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy.” (ESV).
But where is this hope, you may ask? I believe God knew we would be born in the last days and prepared us a way to overcome. Ephesians 1:11-12 says, “In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory.” (NIV). What refreshing news! In His sovereign will He “predestined” us to be for such a time as this!
I remember when Google Glasses were a big talk. I thought the idea was such an invasion of privacy and too much of a distraction. Technology is from God, but it can be used for evil when the devil gets a hold of it. It can give people an access point to be “lovers of self,” “proud,” and “unholy.” (2 Timothy 3:1-2 ESV).
We have to trust God during this time. I have always loved the movie Back to the Future. It always resonated with me. A friend told me that this is the movie where God shows me who He made me to be. He said God told him his movie was Indian Jones because God gave my friend a sense of adventure and excitement. And he didn’t tell me why Back to the Future was for me, but God revealed to me why. I was born for the future. I am learning how to dance with the uncertainty and thrill of the future.
I can incorporate new technologies at my disposal. I am always resisting technology, though. However, I am stuck between two different worlds. I listened to Spotify before anyone knows what Spotify was. But I still listen to vinyl records and CDs. Yes, I did say CDs. My to-do list is a mixture of written notes on my counter to notes on my phone. I might even consider getting a “planner app” one of these days! I haven’t look that up yet, but I bet there are many options out there.
I feel like, as humans, we are supernatural but also primitive in many different ways. It would be a good idea to embrace both of our natures. I don’t appreciate how alienating and destructive technology can be. Still, I understand how God reveals a part of His character with technology, for He is all-wise and all-powerful. So next time you look at multiple apps on your phone, marvel at the opportunity to learn more about the nature of God during these strange but exciting times.
0 Comments