Power with Purpose

Like a moth to a flame, the human race is captivated by power. Consider a glowing fountain of lava streaming from an active volcano or the crash of ice-mountains splashing into the sea as they calve from an iceberg. Think of a racehorse: smooth, well-defined muscles taut under a sleek, glistening coat, legs flying in concert as dirt scatters behind them. Force and speed have their own kind of beauty and mankind has always sought to harness or master them. Storm chasers drive as close to the heart of a tornado as they can. Sometimes too close. Lion tamers and matadors alike step into a ring with animals capable of killing them with the flick of a head or paw. Motorsports fans thrill as shiny, aerodynamic sportscars hug the curves as they roar by.

When God created mankind, he blessed them saying, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” This blessing from Genesis 1:28 is not just a command, which it is, but a statement of character. It is the nature of human beings not only to make babies, but also to climb mountains, sail the seas, chart the stars, and plumb the depths of the earth. And no matter where we “make our bed” as the Psalmist says, God is there, inviting us to co-labor with Him for the beautification of the land and the flourishing of all, including the animals. It is our purpose since before the Fall and a calling that has not been revoked.

Thus, we are enamored of technologies that enable us to overcome time and space in a way that we cannot accomplish on our own. Wood-fired stoves like my great-grandmother’s have been replaced with convection ovens and microwaves. Horse-drawn wagons have given way to the family minivan. Instead of his chalk slate John Sherfey would now be taking his Chromebook to school. We take the speed of modern life for granted, forgetting how freed our schedules have become for following self-directed interests. Technology such as cell phones puts God-like power in the hands of ordinary people. Yet it does not imbue us with God-like wisdom. Innovations like these give us the power to use our resources more efficiently and effectively. It is not, however, our partner in creative stewardship; God is. We can harness the forces of nature to make life easier; it is God’s Spirit that allows us to make life beautiful.