I Am Not a Robot!

Frequently these days, I am being asked for information on Internet websites to confirm that “I am not a robot!” This requires me to place a check mark in a little box. Since this happens so often now, I only have a faint memory of the first time I was asked to do this. I thought it was silly then and I have not changed my mind now. Just before making my mark,  I still question the absurdity of such an admission and I want to exclaim out loud by responding, “No! But are you?!”

Image Credit: clipart-library.com

We are both fascinated and frustrated by robotic technology or artificial intelligence, usually known by its abbreviation, AI. Our fascination is with how easily computer programs have become useful, if not necessary, in accomplishing routine daily tasks. The cutting edge technology of AI and chatbot facilitate our searches for cooking recipes or good restaurants, help us to identify sites for home repair instructions, to locate places and find driving directions, to look up the side effects of medicines about our health issues, and a host of other searches for information. Words like coding and algorithms have made their way into our everyday speech making each of us sound like wannabe computer scientists.

Yes, AI is helping us to more quickly and efficiently obtain information and organize our lives! But who wants to be a robot or admit that we are not one?! We worry that too much automation may eliminate the need for hands-on human intervention. I still appreciate a good old-fashioned, flesh and blood craftsman, tech person, doctor, teacher, or pastor when I have a need! I’m entertained by robotic vacuums and mowers, but I don’t intend to purchase one… not yet anyway! So, it is easy for me to check that box that states, “I am not a robot!”

All of this raises the question, “Who am I?” What is our true identity in the scheme of things? The answers are in the Bible! You and I are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). That does not mean that we look like God who is a Spirit-being, but it does mean that we have God-given capacities to relate, communicate and worship our Creator. You and I are God’s specially created beings! And because of Him, we have an intellect, a will, and can feel and express emotion as we interact with our fellow human beings.

Intellect. It staggers my imagination that we have access to the wisdom and knowledge of Almighty God. The Scriptures remind us of what God says, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, and my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” (Isaiah 55:8). However, this same God of superior knowledge has promised through His Son, “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative – that is, the Holy Spirit – he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.” (John 14:26, NLT). The Holy Spirit who indwells each believer gives us ready access to everything we need! God gives us wisdom!

Will. We are also created with a special ability to choose right from wrong and to use our wills to make godly decisions. I have benefited from this Bible instruction since I was a teenager, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all  you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.” (Proverbs 3:5-7). God helps us choose well!

Emotion. To be created in God’s image gives us the ability to feel love and to express it to others. God is described more than a hundred times in His Word as a God of love, “But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy… filled with unfailing love.” (Psalm 86:15). Jesus distilled the commandments of God into two great mandates for mankind, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind… A second is equally important, Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39). God loves through us!

Let’s be thankful that we have not been created to be robots! God values us too much to reduce us to mere mechanical beings who robotically and impersonally relate to Him or others. Instead, let’s celebrate our uniqueness as God’s children and continue to use our God-given intellects, wills, and emotions to give Him glory and make a lasting difference in the world today!

Are you interested in becoming a child of God? Check out this resource and make a commitment to Him this moment. You will discover who you are and what your purpose is to be in this life. Here are the "steps to peace with God"… Becoming God's Child

Mike Keppler, retired pastor,
active churchman and
doting grandparent.
Contact: drmjkeppler@gmail.com


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Rescue Story!

Image
It is estimated that between sixty and a hundred million homeless cats live in the U.S. (peta.org). Many of them have been abandoned. Some will be sheltered for a time. A few will be fortunate enough to be rescued. A male cat named Trauma is one of the lucky ones! A cat DNA would be required (and yes, there is such a thing!) to definitively identify his breed. He is thought to be a smaller version of the Maine Coon which is one of the oldest natural breeds in North America. Trauma: Healthy and Happy! Trauma’s rescue story began with a woman who worked as a Trail Crew guide for the United States Forest  Service. Marty (not her real name) made a career of planning hiking trips for adventurous individuals. This put her in peak physical condition as she was often required to carry heavy gear as a part of her job. Fifteen years ago, Marty was out in the great outdoors when she happened upon a mangy cat that was obviously homeless and in great physical and probable psychological distress!
Read more

"Pray and Move Your Feet!"

Image
There is an old West African proverb: “When you pray, move your feet.” I have said something similar in a little different way: “Be careful in your praying. You may be (and often are!) the answer to your own prayer.” Others see this almost as a command to “Put feet to your prayers!” What do we mean by these various sayings? Prayer is not just an important spiritual discipline for the Christian, it often leads to an “in the flesh” response and connection between the pray-er and the prayer request. Prayer and Action! pngimg.com While prayer is one of the spiritual disciplines, this doesn't mean it is just an academic, theoretical or forensic exercise! I have heard it said, "God inhabits the praises of His people." This suggests that it blesses God to hear the praise of His people in prayer. I believe that the Lord gets an even greater blessing when our praying is “incarnated” in devotion, commitment and service for Him. Our best efforts at praying involve action plans to
Read more

Sayings That Shape Us!

Image
Joseph D. Keppler December 9, 1929 - February 14, 2024 (I shared the following eulogy at my Dad's funeral, February 19, 2024).  I have so many wonderful memories from growing up with my parents. I say “growing up” because it became clear when I started grade school and heard one of my peers exclaim, “Your parents are so young!” And they were! Mom and Dad eloped on June 10, 1950, and had to go all the way to Corinth, Mississippi to get a justice of the peace who would marry a 16-year-old girl to a 20-year-old sailor, who after four years of active duty, was now in the Naval reserves! That sailor and his gal would become dad and mom, grandpa and grandma, to this great family. Mike, Grandpa, and Matt "A quick pic between oil changes!" I learned so much from dad who had married young, took on a family of four kiddos, and started his own business in those first fourteen years of marriage. Growing up in a family business taught me many lessons for sure! Watching dad and mom in
Read more