Tuesday, 23 March 2010

• Currently Stockholm Syndrome By Derek Webb see related

  In Google We Trust

  This morning I was meditating on Mark 11, which consists of Jesus’ prophesied entry into Jerusalem to clear the temple courts and his cursing of a poor, innocent little fig tree along the way.  This time, it was the fig tree that caught me.  Really, it was the part when Jesus explains its withered state, talking about how mountains may be moved if only we have no doubt in our hearts when we ask God to do it.  It’s the name-it-claim-it scripture.  The basis for all things biblical entitlement.  The trustworthy source for ‘I can have whatever I want, and if I don’t have it, it’s because I don’t have enough faith’ theology.

   

  But these are other conversations for other days.  Today, I want to talk about Google.  Yes, Google.

   

  Bear with me.

   

  Being the Methodist that I seem to be right now, bent on searching (no pun intended) my soul out during Lent, I was considering other things in my life that I look to when I need a mountain moved, so to speak.  Myself, yes, of course.  Other people, often.  But all things considered, Google may be the crown jewel of all our human attempts at ‘ask and ye shall receive.’

   

  That is what Google is, isn’t it?  From the little trees to the big mountains… I can find, read, view, print, download, open, save, save as, obtain, buy, watch, hear, and learn pretty much anything I want via Google.  Why would I go straight to Wikipedia when Google will index Wikipedia for me along side nine other top sources?  No, Google’s the first place I go.  Sometimes, I don’t even enter web addresses because Google can bring up a site faster than I can ‘www’ and ‘dot-com.’

   

  And how many of us ‘Google’ our symptoms before we go to the doctor or the dentist these days?  Don’t be shy now!  Better yet – how many of us look to Google for new skills… car repair, washer and dryer repair, botched meal repair… I know I do!  And what about the bible?  Who reads that old thing anymore?! Google will not only give me indexed scripture passages, but also commentaries, cross-references, sermons, and songs based on the passages, not to mention a whole bunch of other independent opinions about them!

   

  But this isn’t the whole story, is it?

   

  It seems so innocent – more of a triumph of our progress – when we say “just Google it.”  But over the years, I’ve also found myself going to Google to try to find things to fill my empty spaces or my boredom… things I believe will make me happy.  More useless stuff to buy.  Stories that affirm my independence.  Research and statistics that back up my loosest convictions and legitimize my silliest fears.  Pictures and videos that tear down other people, just so that I might have a moment of laughter or pleasure.  Or, my personal favorite, unqualified advice on how to love myself just the way I am and embrace my human nature.

   

  Yet, in all my history of Google searches, I’ve never truly ended up finding fulfillment, let alone loving myself more.  In fact, I think I’ve only ever ended up feeling more isolated.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s quite mesmerizing to be told that there are millions of people out there looking for the same thing you are at the same moment you are; but likewise, it’s quite gut-wrenching to realize, at the end of the day, you’re still all on your own.  “Here’s exactly what you asked me for,” saith Google… “good luck!”

   

  I imagine the disciples were also a bit mesmerized when Jesus told them that anything they asked for in prayer in faith could be, would be done.  But perhaps it was a different kind of gut-wrenching for them to hear the part that we neglect on the flipside: that what and (more importantly) who they prayed for could be, would be of personal and eternal concern.  The church universal, I think, has placed a significant emphasis on the former and virtually none on the latter.

   

  What might happen if we Christians prayed as if we knew we could ask God to accomplish whatever we asked, but with the understanding that, like the fig tree, those who stand praying without bearing fruit are simply unfit?  It might change how we think and act.  It might change the way we pray!  It might make us want to pray how Jesus taught us to pray, rather than how Google has taught us to search.

   

  It should be obvious by now that I don’t think Mark 11 is meant for proving that exemplary faith makes trees die or mountains drown, wounds heal or new cars appear.  And I certainly don’t think it says we should get whatever we want as a reward for our diligent belief.  These are empty theologies – a failure to go beyond the surface; Google has done as much for me.

   

  No, I think this passage shows us that our own fitness for forgiveness and capacity for love is rooted in relationship – it has something important to do with our willingness to consider others first.  Verily, we pray “our Father,” not “my Father.”  Why is this?  Because Christian prayer bears interdependence, rather than independence – bears connection, rather than isolation. This is exemplary faith.

   

  When you think about it, maybe there’s a hidden message behind the recent news pegging Facebook as the new ‘hit’ leader on the internet, ahead of Google.  Maybe it speaks to our deeper longings – an understanding written on our hearts that relationships are better than wishing wells.  Facebook may be a broken execution of relationship, but it’s still a step away from isolation and towards connection in this bored, lonely internet age.

   

  In the end, I don’t think it was any mistake that Jesus cursed the poor, innocent little fig tree: it was a visual parable.  He knew that God was going to do it, and now, if we're willing to see it, we have a chance to catch another glimpse of what it means for Christians to be in relationship and bear fruit.  And perhaps it was also no mistake that, a few days later from the cross, Jesus cried out “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”  I’d like to see Google accomplish that one.

   

  --kory // www.korywilcox.com

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