Virtual Reality Part 2

 

Last month I talked about how fear is really a virtual reality.  If you missed it or want to check it out again you can click HERE  This month I want to talk more about virtual reality and how VR is stealing parts of life away from us.  

Let me start by saying, I am not here to hate on VR or other technology.  I am a gadget geek and love having the latest and greatest technology.  In fact, Meta, if you want to send me a headset to review, I will write a post about my experience.  

The part of life that VR and other technology are stealing from us is experience.  They are trying to sell us convenience at the cost of experience.  I remember when they tried to convince us that the microwave would completely replace the ranges and ovens in our homes.  Almost fifty years later and we still have ranges in our home.  Even InstantPot has yet to be able to do that.  Don't get me wrong, I love my 12 in 1 ProCrisp.  However, I still prefer the experience of cooking with my old cast iron on my gas range.  Look at the resurgence of vinyl over the last few years.  With all of the streaming music available people are reverting back to (or discovering for the first time) vinyl records.  

The one thing that VR and AI have been unable to replace is the experience that comes with reality.  I see all these commercials for VR, and yes, I can go see virtual mammoths but I can not smell them, taste them, fear them, or understand them from the perspective of the people who roamed the earth during that age.  The experience is lacking.  You can put on a headset and see Weeping Rock in Zion National Park, but you will miss the experiences of the mist, the smells, and the journey that I had going there. 

Yes, Chat GPT can write the paper for you, but it can not replace the experience of creating and crafting with words.  It does not replace all the learning that happens during the research process that does not make it to the final paper.  What I write or share while speaking is a small fraction of the information that I learned in the process of creating.  Then there is what I learn about myself during the creative process that goes way beyond information.  

I could give example after example of how technology attempts to trade us convenience for experience.  There is one more that I want to address.  That is relationships.  A computer can not give you a human touch.  A computer can not replicate the experience of sharing a meal with another person.  I work in a situation where the majority of my meetings are virtual.  It is funny that none of us want to eat while we are on camera.  None of us would think anything of eating in front of each other if we were sitting around a table together.  Human connection and intimacy can not be coded.  Even the one dating app admits it when it says "We are the dating app intended to be deleted."  Notice all the dating app commercials show people together.  The relationship is not intended to stay online. 

The virtual and online world is great for meeting people, but for a relationship to develop, human connection is needed.  We see it on dating apps, gaming platforms, and online church.  There is always a draw to being together.  We all experienced this truth during 2020 and 2021.  Technology can not replace human connection.  

Don't let the convenience of virtual reality replace the experience of reality.

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Transformer or Conformer

I loved the Transformers when I was a kid.  These robots would disguise themselves as different types of vehicles.  Then the Decepticons would show up and the Transformers, led by Optimus Prime, would spring into their robot forms and fight off the Decepticons.  No matter what type of vehicle they changed into, inside they were still robots.  So maybe they should have been called Conformers.  

In the beginning, we were formed in the image of God.  The word that is translated as "formed" in Genesis 2:7 means to create, to give life to, and to give purpose.  This was our Optimus Prime moment.  His name means "the best and first".  We were not only alive, but we had purpose.  The imagery that is used throughout the Bible is one of a potter working with clay.  So if we run with that imagery, the clay had set.  We were complete and ready to fulfill our purpose.  However, the pottery broke when we sinned.  Just like with real pottery, there is no reforming us back into the image of God.  In fact, the only way the word "reform" is used in the Bible, is in talking about changing your actions and behavior.  

As broken human beings on our own, we were left with one choice.  The form had broken.  We could not reform ourselves or be reformed.  We did the only thing we could do.  We conformed.  In Romans 12:2, we are instructed to "not conform to the pattern of this world".  Now we need to dive into the words here or something important will be missed.  The word that is used here is Suschematizo.  According to Strong's Concordance, it means to conform one's self (i.e. one's mind and character) to another's pattern, (fashion one's self according to).  What is implied here is that it is an act of our own will.  We are trying to form ourselves and the pattern we are using is the world.  It is like a ripped piece of denim saying, "I am going to sew myself into a pair of jeans.  However, the pattern I am going to use is that of a dress."  It just does not come how we hoped. 

Romans 8:29 reminds us of God's original plan for us.  "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son . . ."  The conformed that is used there is a different word than we see in Romans 12:2.  It is more similar to the Hebrew word used in Genesis 2:9.  The word is Summorphos which means "having the same form as another, similar, conformed to".  Having the same form of Jesus was his plan from all eternity past.  It is just not something we can get back to on our own.  

We can not be reformed.  We can not conform ourselves.  That leaves only one option.  We have to be transformed.  One last word study; the word transform is the greek word metamorphoo and it means "to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure".  You might already recognize this is where we get the word metamorphous.  This is like the process of a caterpillar going into a cacoon and coming out a butterfly.  It is a complete and permanent change.  Unlike our robots in disguise, the butterfly can never return to the larvae stage.  The cellular makeup of the insect has changed.  The cells of the larvae have to die to make way for the cells of the butterfly.  

Well, Romans 12:2 tells us to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."  In order to get a butterfly the larvae has to die.  In order for us to be transformed the old self has to die.  The good news is that Paul tells us that one died for all.  Jesus took our place.  Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  Our part in it is to allow the Spirit of God to come in and renew; "perform a complete change for the better" our minds.  Sorry, I had to slip one more word study in there.  I am not going to dive into this, but when you see "mind" don't think brain;  think your inner being, your heart, or your gut.  It is a complete and permanent change.  It is an inside-out transition that goes deeper than the cellular level.  

It says that when we experience this change we "will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."  Do you remember what His will for us has been from the very beginning?  His will for us is that we are formed, conformed, and transformed into the image of Jesus.  This is not accomplished through praying a prayer, following spiritual rituals, or any number of good things we can do.  It is a work that only God can do through the Holy Spirit.  Like the changing of the caterpillar to a butterfly it is a process that takes time.  The end product will be worth the wait.  

Want to learn more about starting a relationship with Jesus?  Let me know Here and I would be happy to help you.  

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All Greek and Hebrew word meanings come from Strongs Concordance on www.biblestudytools.com.  Scripture references are all in the New International Version unless otherwise indicated.

Do You Identify As A Test?

What was your favorite kind of test in school?  Was it multiple-choice, true or false, or essay? Please tell me it was not fill in the blank without a word bank.  Those are evil.  There are a billion different words in the world and I need to come up with the one word that the teacher has decided best fills in this blank.  I know.  None of us loved tests, but did you have a favorite type.  Mention it in the comments and tell me why it was your favorite.  

I am going somewhere with this.  I am not trying to stress out those of you with test anxiety.  Do you know what test really stresses me out?  Those personality tests!  This is the only time when I struggle with overthinking.  They ask impossible questions like this.  If you were hanging from a small limb on the side of a cliff would you hang on until you lose all your strength and your hand slips off or would you just let go and fall to your death?  Someone took those tests, made them into a game, and called it "Would You Rather".  I remember one of those personality tests told you what kind of animal you are.  I was an otter because I like to play.  

Anyway, these two things made me think about how we handle our identities.  Let me explain.  If I am not careful, I can be a multiple-choice identity.  I can be whatever you want me to be.  You just tell me A, B, or C and I will be that.  Some people, when you try to get to know who they are, you find out they are an essay question test.  Their answer is just full of fluff.  There is no substance to who they are and they really don't know who they are.  I lived in that world for a long time.  Other people are like the fill-in-the-blank tests.  They let other people determine who they are by filling in the blank for them.  

Which of these tests is the best one?  None of them.  The best test for your identity is a good ole True or False test.  Find your true identity and get rid of the false identities.  If you want to know your true identity you have to go to the one who created you.  You can read more about that in the post titled What Is My Purpose to get you started.  

Make sure to comment on what is your favorite type of test.  Also, if you can relate to one of the test types let me know in the comments as well.  Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss out on future posts.  

What Is My Purpose

What is my purpose?  That is a common question people have.  That is a great question to ask but the problem is people have a major misconception about what the answer will entail.  

The problem arises when we assume that the purpose is directly tied to what we should be doing.  We find our value in what we accomplish and try to tie our purpose to what we do.  We see this in how we start up conversations with new people.  One of the first questions we ask is "What do you do?" It normally comes right after "How are you?" (If you missed it, check out my post I'm Okay, You're Okay where I talk about that question)  Our identity can get so tied up in how we answer that question.  

If you want to know the purpose of something you have to go to the creator of the thing.  I can go to the hardware store and I can buy any tool I want.  I can buy the best miter saw they have.  If I do not assemble it correctly, put the proper blade on for the job I am doing, and pay attention to the directions it is not going to cut anything.  At best, it will destroy my building material, and worse I could really hurt myself.  I could do everything correctly and have great results cutting molding for my walls.  However, if I try to use the same saw blade to cut the tile for my shower I am going to end up with a disaster.  If I want good results and to keep all my body parts connected I need to follow the directions the creator of the saw provided.  I need to use the tool the way the creator intended.  

It is the same with our lives.  We can live our lives any way we want.  We can do whatever we want.  However, if we want to not destroy everything we have built and cause damage to ourselves and those around us, we need to live our lives the way the creator intended us to.  The way we find that out is we read the directions that he provided.  It is called the Bible.  

The first thing we find out is that the primary purpose that God intended for us is to be in relationship.  We see in Genesis 1 that all three persons of the trinity our at work in relationship with one another.  Jesus said that "the Father and I are one" (John 10:30).  John 1 again shows us the relationship "1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made."  If we see God living in relationship and we are made in his image then we are also created for relationship.  We are created for relationship with God and relationship for others.  God said in Genesis "It is not good for man to be alone."  God then declares a relationship with man and all of creation (Genesis 1:26)  So our first purpose that God gives us is to be in relationship with him, each other, and creation.  (For more about being in relationship with creation you can read my post called Enjoying God)

At the end of the creation week God rested and established the Sabbath, a day of rest.  God rested after his work but commands us to rest before we work.  Jesus fulfilled the Sabbath and so we are to rest in Jesus.  The work we do, the serving we do, and when we help others all flows from our rest in Jesus.  Ephesians 2:10 tells us we are "created in Christ Jesus to do good works."  The key is "in Christ Jesus."  It is an outflow of our relationship with him not the source of our relationship with him.  

Our purpose is to rest in our relationship with Jesus and from that "do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  We don't create the work.  We are not trying to impress God with what we come up to do.  God does not call us to a life of performance.  When you try out for a play there are callbacks.  With Jesus there are no callbacks.  Jesus is not calling us to perform he calls us to relationship.  

One last verse as I wrap this up: Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  This verse is ranked near the top of the list of misused verses in the Bible.  Notice it does not say "for my purpose."  It does not say "for your purpose."  It says "his purpose."  Understanding the things we are going through and understanding our purpose often comes from reflection and looking back.  However, in order to move forward We need to stop looking for our purpose and focus on loving God and resting in the fact that we are "called according to his purpose."   

What is my purpose is a great question.  The answer is not found in the what it is found in the who.

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My Purpose

This statement has driven my decisions for the year.  The goals I have set I have been centered around making myself fit in all areas of my life.  I have worked on being fit in my spiritual, emotional and financial life.  I have lined up my goals, to-do list, calendar, and bank account with his purpose.  So far it has been an incredible year.  

All of the areas of your life are connected like tires on a car.  If one of your tires is flat you can get somewhere in the other areas of your life.  However, it is going to be a bumpy ride and it will definitely take longer to get there.  For me, the toughest area, my flat tire, has been my physical life.  I have been focusing a large portion of my effort on this tire.  I have lost almost 20 lbs.  My blood pressure is back in a healthy range.  I am able to enjoy activities that I had not been able to do for a long time.  Excercise has taken on fun forms like mountain biking, hiking, and evening walks with my wife.  I have started enjoying the quality of food instead of quantity of food.  I have found supplements that work for me.  

All of these changes are great. They all contributed to the success I have had.  However, the foundation that they are built on is the key to the success.  I have tried all these things before and gave up.  The missing ingredient was a purpose.  It was not until I had a purpose to be fit did the change come.  The purpose had to be big enough and important enough to motivate me through the sacrifice.  I am not motivated to do things because I should do them.  In fact, that usually has the opposite effect on me.  I am motivated by relationships.  I know this about myself.  So I tied my purpose to the relationships that matter most to me.  

What is your purpose?  What motivates you to make real change?  Are you lining up your goals, calendar, bank account, and to do list with your purpose?

If you are looking for ways to improve different areas of your life check out my Favorite Links page. The first one is a link to the Advocare page.  This is the supplements that my wife and I have been using.  I am constantly looking for organizations that I can add to the list.  Some of them are organizations that can help you and others need your help to help others.  Please know that I have had personal experiences with each one.  

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