Ghost Machines

Recently I have been thinking a great deal about the technology that fills our lives or in many ways infects our existence. Even recently I have been noticeably annoyed because my four-year old laptop that I use daily for writing, homework, and entertainment has not been running very fast (although it's gotten better with Windows 10). I have been impatient with the wireless which seems to run at a snail's pace based on my modern expectations. Even my phone has caused me some annoyance, because when I'm away at campus all day sometimes the battery seems to run down to nothing for almost no reason at all. 

These are little daily things that go on and they seem hardly consequential, however when I step back that's when I realize how sad this is. I was made in the image of the living God, to be for his glory, blessed by Him, so that I in turn can be a blessing to the world. As a Christian, saved by grace, I have a far greater calling that He has given to me. And yet in my daily lives I grumble about my technology. It's not fast enough. It's not good enough, and I don't even consider myself technologically inclined. But in many ways it seems like if we're not careful, technology and other good things can become too important. We all probably have heard this before, the idea that we make them into idols; that they become our gods so to speak. 

But perhaps even more so I am reminded of a song by Jon Foreman called Ghost Machines. The first few times hearing it I didn't quite get it, but after hearing some commentary on the track it all fell into place. Our phones, our tablets, our computers, and whatever else we have often suck us dry. They have no soul, no life blood, no humanity inside of them, but we often allow our lives to revolve around them. 

And isn't it true we become more like those things that we follow and that are most important to us. We are called to be like Christ, but are there times when I'm emulating my technology? Perhaps it's a stretch, but is it true that at times I become almost robotic and mechanical in my daily rhythms? My relationships play out on Facebook, on Twitter, or through texts. My Bible is on my phone, and people spend more time online than off. Could it be we are becoming more like our ghost machines? We are becoming more like ghosts. I do not want to be a shell of a person. I want Christ to daily and continually revive my soul. Because, like the book of Jeremiah talks about, I think we are often going to broken cisterns like our Ghost Machines for sustenance. We need living water that will replenish our very beings and give us life. This is as much for me as it is anyone else. But let us be mindful of this. Do not allow our Ghost Machines to harden our hearts and suck away all our joy. We were made for so much more than birthday posts on Facebook and hashtags. 

Ghost Machine - By Jon Foreman

All hail the siren of our time
I'm possessed when she passes by
she drains the best years of my life
she makes promises
she could never keep
ain't it a ghost machine
making a ghost out of me
after all her lies I'm surprised that I still believe
She haunts me with her laughter in my dreams
my ghost machine
Father forgive me cause I know
exactly how I spread my soul
my idolatry is in the pocket of my coat
I make promises
I could never keep
ain't it a ghost machine
ain't she a ghost machine
I'm still haunted by the faces on her screen
I swear she's gonna make a dead man out of me
my ghost machine
do you know yourselves?
I heard a voice call out loud
you define yourselves
by the things you can't live without
I deny it
I could quit at any time
but the ghost is a drug
but the ghost is a drug
she's in our blood
and I can't give her up
the clock the alter of our time
the thought the temple of our mind
then I've been sprinkling the blood of most my life
on the alters of my ghost machine
ain't she my enemy
the ancient remedy
the gods of all the empty promises that I believed
She haunts me with her laughter in my dreams
I swear she's gonna make a dead man out of  me

my ghost machine