Published on 01/8/2007

He (God) alone can say, "I am God, and there is no one like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My purpose shall stand, and I will fulfill my intention'" (Isaiah 46:9-10, NRSV).

Commentary

Where are you reading this morning's essay? Most likely you're at your office or home computer. You may be using your laptop with a Wi-Fi or cellular Internet connection, or your BlackBerry. If Steve Jobs has his way, you'll soon be using your Apple phone. Today's New York Times tells us about an invention which is said to excite the Apple Computer guru more than the MacIntosh.

The new Apple phone is reported to include a sleek ceramic case and transparent touch screen. It will fit in your pocket, and handle music, entertainment, productivity tasks and communications on cellular and wireless networks. And I thought Dick Tracy's wristband TV was science fiction.

The Times article profiles other pocket-sized computers entering the market as well. One is called the Oqo Model 2, a hand-held computer which includes a slide-out keyboard and the ability to connect to Wi-Fi and high-speed cellular service. You can add a Bluetooth handset and use an Internet phone service like Skype. Who would have imagined reading the last sentence three years ago?

Not to be outdone, television inventors are working on going mobile. The Times is reporting today that a television producer named Rick Rosner has invented a portable satellite TV system. Called the Sat-Go, it weighs about 25 pounds and will sell for $1,000 to $1,300. It will enable you to connect to satellite TV wherever you are. And I thought the round UHF antenna my dad brought home was neat--now we could watch Houston Wrestling on Friday nights. I've never been older than I am today.

You and I are living in an amazing time. Some are comparing the Internet to the printing press as the two most significant inventions in history. I completed my Masters degree on my father's World War II manual typewriter, and my doctoral seminars on a computer with eight-inch floppy disks and a dot matrix printer louder than a freight train. Ten years ago I couldn't have imagined writing a daily essay which you would read via email.

While all of this surprises me, none of it surprises God. He alone can say, "I am God, and there is no one like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My purpose shall stand, and I will fulfill my intention'" (Isaiah 46:9-10, NRSV). Because he is not bound by time, he sees this afternoon as well as you can see this moment. Why not ask for his direction and submit to his perfect will for your Monday, right now?