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Saturday, March 2, 2013

One Bite

Before I begin, I have to offer a disclaimer. I am the owner of a MAC computer. So, this posting is not a MAC bashing endeavor but rather an interesting observation. I was sitting quietly last week without focusing on anything in particular when I began thinking about the Fall and Adam and Eve. The whole sordid story is told in Genesis 3. The interesting thing is that whenever the story of Adam and Eve is retold outside of the Biblical text, the fruit that they ate is always depicted as an apple. The Genesis 3 account does not tell us what kind of fruit Adam and Eve actually ate. We are told, "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband , who was with her, and he ate it." (Genesis 3:6) There is no mention of whether the fruit had a tough skin or soft skin, whether it had to be peeled or one could bite into it. Somewhere in history, the assumption was made that the fruit was an apple. The temptation Satan held out to Eve was that God was "holding out" on her. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Genesis 3:5) As a result of their disobedience, Adam and Eve did gain an increased awareness of themselves and their choices. What does this have to do with MAC computers, you may ask? The insight that came to me is the irony of the symbol used for MACs, the apple, and the parallels with the Genesis story. God certainly has allowed humanity to develop the advances in technology that we take advantage of today. However, because of our fallen state, technology has become a "god" to many. The symbolic apple that represents MacIntosh products has a piece missing as if someone took a bite out of it. Once the apple has been bitten, the awareness of what the technology can do and how far it can go has become an endless pursuit. People worship the "god of technology" going to great lengths to obtain all it has to offer. Please excuse my taking liberties with the Scriptures but one could almost re-write Genesis 3:6, "When the people saw the "fruit" (symbolic apple, technological toys) was good for "food"(to feed the mind) and pleasing to the eye (all the visual colors and effects) and also desirable for gaining wisdom (for good and evil) they took and "ate" and also gave to their family, friends, and others." The result of Adam and Eve's sin follows all humanity and our worship of the "god of technology" has spread throughout the world. How many times have we seen the long lines in front of stores that sell apple products waiting for the newest version of phone or tablet to hit the market? Cell phone, computer, and tablet manufacturers develop their technology to be disposable and lose their value months after purchase to make way for the next new upgrade. Mental Health experts are seeing a new addiction to technological devices and have conducted studies in which people experienced actual withdrawal symptoms when they could not be "connected." Identity theft and hacking into personal and business accounts has become a popular pastime. All because of one bite. For those of you like me who grew up before all these technological advances, I sometimes wonder were we that bad off before the existence of these devices? Were Adam and Eve really that bad off before they took that bite of fruit? I have certainly come to appreciate the ease of being able to connect with others via e-mail or call for help from my cell phone if my car breaks down. But I need to remind myself that my happiness is not found in the "god of technology" but rather in the God of the universe. The One who created heaven and earth and gave His Son that I may not fall in love with what is temporary but with that which is eternal. Jesus cautioned, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21) So I encourage you to take "one bite" but "Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him." (Psalm 34:8)
Peace,
Pastor Sheree





1 comment:

  1. I have been thinking about Sabbath Keeping. Several people that I know have begun unplugging themselves from the web on their Sabbath. For them it is a way that God remains God over technology too.

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