In the first part of this series, we considered how artificial intelligence may change the way people work, communicate, and live. But before we ask what technology can do, we need to ask a deeper question:
What does it mean to be human?
Then God said, “let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God he created him; male and female He created them. – Genesis 1: 26-27
In Genesis 1:26-27, we learn that we were created in God’s image.
What makes us human is our essence being linked with God. Our purpose being linked with what God created us to be and do. He created us individually, he thought about us personally and took his time forming us, as we will see later on in a Psalm.
We have free will, of course, and that makes this situation particularly unique. We can choose to be kind or mean. We can choose to be productive or not (whatever that means for each of us), we can choose to love or hate.
Just like God chose to create and rest, we also have that choice…
Now let’s move to another aspect of what we spoke about in the first part of this series – the hopelessness for younger people wondering why they should go to University if the robots would take over and they’d have nothing to do with what they studied…
One important aspect that we get from the Genesis verse above is that our identity isn’t linked to the work that we do. It can be a part of it, especially how things are in the world now, but work doesn’t define who we are.
Did God work? Yes, he did. That’s how he created the world. But He also rested on the seventh day of creation.
He knows the importance of work-life balance – though that’s a more recent term. While Genesis is not giving us a modern workplace policy, the pattern of work and rest gives us wisdom to consider in our own lives.
This is something I discuss with clients all the time – how to get work-life balance. I’ve done it for myself by limiting the number of clients I see per day to 4 at minimum and 7 on rare occasions, and taking a week off every 6 weeks whether I need it or not.
Work is important, especially when you love what you do (like I do), but it is not all of who we are.
In a bible Commentary on the verses mentioned, it states “God instructed humans to oversee and care for the good around them. Humans have the privilege of working together with God in caring for the world.” (pg. 4, Nelson T. NKJV)
What I take from this aside from God making us in His image which is amazing on its own right, is that the word “working” comes into play. We are to be stewards of everything and everyone God created.
So, work is part of our purpose in life, but it’s not all the purpose we have. This further purpose is communion with God and living a life worthy of Him. As Jesus taught in Matthew 7:12, we are to treat others as we would want to be treated.
Something that always brings hope, joy and reassurance is that God knows us and forms us personally, from within the womb – he has known us since we were tiny cells developing into a fetus that keeps developing until the baby is ready to come into the world and keep developing outside the womb.
In verse 16, it talks about being “In your Book”, and the commentary in Nelson, T. NKJV (pg. 843) says that “the idea is that all human beings, and the structure and meaning of each person’s life, are all established from the beginning by God.”
Isn’t that wonderful?
Here’s the full set of verses so you can read it yourself and be encouraged:
For you formed my inward parts; you covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.
Psalm 139:13–16
He has given us purpose – a greater purpose than just our calling to the profession or job we’ve chosen. He gave us that even before there were any days spent in our lives!
In conclusion for part two of this mini-series…
AI may change the tasks people perform. It may change the workplace. It may even change entire industries. But it cannot change the truth that human beings are made in the image of God.
Our purpose is not manufactured by technology. It is received from our Creator.
We are more than our job title. More than our productivity. More than our abilities. More than our data.
We belong to God, and in Christ we are called to live faithfully, love others, and walk in the good works He has prepared for us.
Technology may automate tasks, but it cannot automate the image of God.
Make sure to look out for the follow-up parts as I keep discussing this important topic.
