Monthly Article From the Pastor

SEPTEMBER 2024
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Rapid Changes…

Have you noticed that the pace of change in the world today seems to be accelerating? Many developments are contributing to this. Consider the impact of cloud computing, which has revolutionized industries from finance to healthcare. Businesses of all sizes can now access powerful computing resources without the need for costly on-premises infrastructure. That’s amazing! Or think about the “Internet of Things.” Everything from smart thermostats to self-driving cars are becoming increasingly interconnected, transforming the way we live, work, and interact with the world around us.

Years ago, I was amazed when my parents brought home the new electronic game, “Milton,” that actually talked to you. Some of you may remember that game? It involved matching spoken phrases by pressing colored buttons. Compared to board games, I thought it was revolutionary that a game could actually talk to people. Now, refrigerators, thermostats, and even automobiles are talking to each other! It’s enough to make anyone’s head spin.

And I haven’t even mentioned artificial intelligence, a field that is advancing at a breakneck pace. Where do I begin? Just the other day, I stumbled upon an article about Sam Altman’s Worldcoin project. What’s that? Sam Altman is the CEO of OpenAI, which developed ChatGPT, one of several large language model AI programs that are growing in popularity. Mr. Altman’s vision for the future is one in which artificial intelligence becomes so advanced that it will be indistinguishable from human intelligence. This raises profound questions about the potential for AI to both enhance and disrupt our lives. So, Mr. Altman proposed a solution to one possible disruption. His hope is to eventually scan the irises of every person on the planet with a device called an “orb,” assigning each person a unique identifier, so that we’re all able to distinguish humans from AI powered robots in the future.

What? When I first read the article, I did a double take. Had I stumbled upon a script for a new Sci-Fi movie mixed in with legitimate news stories? I half expected to read in the next paragraph that Mr. Altman was planning to enlist the help of aliens from the planet Bartu to scan everyone’s eyeballs. However, even the most imaginative Hollywood screenwriters would find it challenging to conceive a development as extraordinary as this real-world scenario.

This is the world we’re living in today. And experts expect the rate of change to increase. So, how should we respond? Well, thankfully, as Christians we have a source of great strength to help steel our nerves as we try to make sense of it all, discerning how it will impact each of our lives. Drawn together by the Holy Spirit into the Church, with Christ as our head, we serve an Almighty God who can help us navigate, together, how to be a light for Christ in our rapidly changing world. God is bigger than even the most rapid changes and can guide us in all things. As the prophet Isaiah said to the Israelites during a time of great change in their civilization’s history, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10). Or as St. Paul quoted God as saying of Paul’s own challenges in his second letter to the Corinthians, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Our shared faith can strengthen us in so many specific ways. For one it gives us a sense of purpose that transcends the immediate challenges and uncertainties of life. We understand that we are eternal, which strengthens us on our shared journey through an unstable, and uncertain world. Worshipping and studying Scripture together imparts values and principles that help guide our decisions and actions, even in the face of rapid change. When challenges arise, we have each other to lean upon. As St. Paul says in his first letter to the Corinthians of each of us, as members of Christ’s body, “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” (1 Corinthians 12:26). Our faith provides a framework for considering the ethical implications of new technologies and making informed decisions about their use. We’re able to understand how to apply these principles by sharing with each other about our concerns. And it inspires us to reach out to others in need outside of our church, guiding us in sharing Christ’s light with a world filled with people who are just as confused about our changing world.

It has always been important, in every day and age, for Christians to gather as the Church to receive God’s healing, redemptive, directing grace. And there are so many ways to get involved at Zion! From attendance at weekly services, volunteering to serve as ushers and in other ways at those services, participation in the various committees of our church, involvement in Zion’s music program, regular attendance at our Bible Study opportunities on Sundays and Thursdays, and participation in our church’s many fellowship events, there are so many ways for us to connect be collectively strengthened by God’s grace!

The world may be changing more rapidly than ever, but we serve a God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8). A God whose sacrifice through Christ on the cross has given us eternal hope in all things! As we journey into this autumn season, I look forward to seeing all of you in the various ministries of the church. With God’s Spirit as our guide, let’s move patiently, peacefully, and confidently into this new emerging world, knowing that God will work out His plans for us as we call upon Him, together.

In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Basile

Some Sources I Used:
Angus Berwick. “Sam Altman’s Worldcoin Is Battling With Governments Over Your Eyes.” The Wall Street Journal. Aug. 18, 2024.

The Investopedia Team. “What Is Cloud Computing?” www.investopedia.com. March 21, 2024.