To quote Uncle Ben from Spider-Man, “With great power comes great responsibility.” We have likely all heard that popular quote. And I often observe people viewing technology this way. But what if we flip that phrase a bit and say, “With great technology comes great things”? Too often we rag on technology and focus only on how it negatively affects us. And as a result, we often miss all benefits of technology.
Below are three ways technology has been a benefit to my life and to the culture around us. While none of these are new thoughts, hopefully they will give you a fresh perspective and a desire to use technology for good.
1. Technology Provides Connection
My extended family does not live in the same city I do, and yet I am able to use technology such as FaceTime and social media to stay connected in ways not possible in the past. For example, my grandma is active on Facebook, and by seeing the life updates and photos I post, she stays connected even from a distance. Also, technology allows us to stay connected with missionaries across the world and gives us new ways to care for and encourage them.
The connection technology provides is potentially its greatest benefit. We were made to experience relationship and to be physically present with one another. And, although being together in person is ideal, it does not diminish the reality that online communication provides connection when being physically present isn’t possible. FaceTime, Facebook, texting, phone calls, chat boards, and more are both important and helpful.
Questions to consider:
- How do you use the connection technology provides? Do you use it for the betterment of others? Do you use it to grow closer to others?
- Does the connection you have with others because of technology build them up to look and love more like Jesus?
2. Technology Gives Access to Information
Technology provides us with more information than the world has ever known. Information about a myriad of things is at our fingertips: people, weather, ingredients, prices, health, world events, and the list goes on and on. We can be informed on almost anything we want, and that information helps us make better decisions at our workplace, in our parenting, in our personal lives, in our you-name-it.
Any information we pursue needs to be received with a level of discernment, and we need to be careful with both what kind and how much information we consume. However, that does not negate the vast benefits of our access to information due to technology.
Questions to consider:
- How do you use information for good? Do you use information to better others or build others up?
- How can you use information to help yourself and others look and love more like Jesus?
3. Technology Can Grow Creativity
The creative opportunities we have because of technology are endless. Our jobs, communication, relationships, hobbies, passions, and many other things are enhanced by technology.
Consider the gaming world that so many teens are involved in. So often this technology is talked about only negatively. However, with discernment and right thinking, our teens are using their creativity in great ways. Building, creating, growing, coding, and thinking through games and the strategies within them. Gaming platforms allow them to interact with people all over the world. It’s bringing cultures together into one platform and using their combined creativity to accomplish a mission.
Questions to consider:
- How has technology grown your gifts and creativity?
- Are you creative in how you use technology to glorify the Lord? Do you use technology to creatively build up the kingdom?
- How can you use technology to help yourself and others look and love more like Jesus?
“With technology comes great things,” including increased connectivity, access to a wealth of information, and opportunities to grow creativity. Technology is not going anywhere any time soon, so consider its vast benefits and how you can best use what the Lord has entrusted to you to glorify him and encourage others. Begin to think of technology as a tool you can use in your home, workplace, and hobbies that can help you and others look and love more like Jesus.
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