Just Google It- Are You Searching For God Online?
With technology at our fingertips, we have access to a plethora of online information. What are you looking for? Are you searching for God?
Just Google It
Just “Google It”. It’s a phrase many of us hear or say virtually every day. The expression is actually getting old, as the word “google” has been used as a verb since 2002, when it was entered into the renowned texts of the Websters and Oxford dictionaries.
The Google brand is the world’s 2nd largest (just behind Apple) It’s umbrella of companies includes many other recognizable names …Motorola, YouTube, Google Earth, and Gmail just to name a few, giving Google an estimated market value of $528 billion.
With smartphones, ipads, and laptops at our fingertips, it has become so commonplace to do a quick “Google search” for anything from vehicle repairs, to recipes or even medical advice. We are literally able to access anything our enquiring minds want to know.
A Change Of The Times
It was just up until a few years ago, that the standard for general knowledge in the English language was in book form, known as the Encyclopedia Britannica. The worlds collective knowledge, continually revised and compiled was first published in the late 1760’s in Edinburgh Scotland. It evolved to become the “standard”, the “go to” resource in homes and businesses across Europe and North America for over 250 years. Among its more than 4000 contributors adding weight and stature to its reputation were 110 Nobel Prize winners, and 5 American Presidents.
But, as with all things, time brings the winds of change. In the mid 1990’s as internet speeds and search engines increased in broadband strength and number, the popularity of print media began to wane. With the online release of M.I.T.s educational materials and the National Library of Medicines research, the internet became a credible and invaluable source for real-time information.
What Are You Searching For?
We are fortunate to live in a country and in a part of world where our search for information is not censored. With time spent, and a bit of online savvy, we can undeniably source and find virtually anything we’re looking for. With that said, the onus of how or what we search, falls clearly on us. So, I pose the question. What invariably are we searching for? What occupies our thoughts, the time spent between busy schedules with work and children and church and sports and social commitments?
The internet, as does life, poses every form of enlightenment… but also every form of distraction. It can be used for either, or both. As Christians, how are we using the internet? Are we utilizing Google as a tool for growth in our lives, and for Gods glory? Are we continuing on the path that God desires for us, to search him out daily, and fill ourselves with the substance of all things Godly?
When we deprive ourselves of that which sustains us, we are as those without bread, without the strength and sustenance that are ours when we diligently search the scriptures.
Seek The Lord
David declares;
“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.”
O may that be said of me. What richness abounds and overflows from the verse; words expressing such a heartfelt desire for God. This is a sentiment that should be the mantra for all. It is a testament to the immeasurable blessing that is ours when we make a concerted effort to seek him, to dwell in his house, to abide in his presence, to enquire in his temple.
What happens when we do? We see his beauty. Any child of God knows the joy that fills our heart, when we are drawn by his Spirit into that place where we see and experience afresh, his beauty. It’s like a fountain of water that washed over us anew.
Searching For God
So, let our true desire for knowledge be for our ongoing spiritual development. Let our searches for information be an aide, to guide us in our Christian walk, that all things might be for Gods glory.
Google opens up the entire world to us, but certainly not just the secular world. It offers up as well all things Christian. Hundreds of versions and translations of the Bible are available, commentaries, and news articles from Christian sites that offer encouragement; that support our walk of faith. We can scroll through the centuries and investigate artifacts and sites related to Noah’s Ark, or the Dead Sea Scrolls. We can read articles and blogs, we can participate in online theological debates that challenge us to
search the scriptures, for in them are found eternal life.
I need to remind myself often, that I have only one life here; only short years or months, or even days or minutes… one go around at this life…one finite measure of time to live for GOD. My belief in Jesus, and my trusting him as my savior and Lord; this has taken away the burden and punishment for my sins. But what is the sum total of all my works? Will there be much to present when I stand before my Lord in Glory, or will there be an abundance of “wood, hay and stubble”?
Seek In Life That Brings God Glory
Pauls’ words in 2 Timothy 4 are good for me, they challenge me. Paul says:
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
2 Timothy 4
So the next time we grab our phone to Google directions, or search out reviews about a restaurant in the area, let’s be reminded that Google can be a great help to us, in our daily walk for God. Wonderful pages await on the worlds largest search engines. But really, the “search engine” is within us. It’s our desires and curiosities that will guide our searches, online, and in this world. As we’re seeking to live a life that edifies and brings glory to GOD, let’s mirror those beautiful words of David…
One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
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Brad Hewey
Brad offers up practical, scriptural advice from a perspective borne out of everyday life encounters. As we live and move and have our being…it’s the individual life lessons that most often present the greatest challenges, but can yield the richest blessings. We’ve all, as Christians had those faith-affirming moments, where we’ve had an overwhelming sense of God’s spirit, or his very presence “at a particular but, maybe random time”.
Brad was born and still resides in a small community in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, where he and his wife Karen raised their 3 children. Brad & Karen fellowship at the Greenland Bible Chapel, where Brad serves as an elder.
Brad loves meeting and engaging with people. His background in sales has provided opportunities to travel throughout the US and Canada, networking with people from all walks of life. Brad is a singer/songwriter and has recorded 3 Christian albums. Songs from his “Brighter Day” release, have aired on Christian Radio stations across Canada and two of Brad’s albums are on HopeStreamRadio’s playlist.
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