Listening
to the radio this morning I heard the CEO of Microsoft talk of the need for
those in his digital industry to ‘take a step back’ and reassess the road
technology is going down. He was
concerned at the rapid rise of the internet and the use to which governments,
industry and individuals have put it, even talking of its ‘weaponization’;
using it for manipulative purposes.
Like most of you reading this, I’ve embraced new technology with enthusiasm and enjoy the benefits of communicating using WhatsApp, writing sermons with the ability to reference facts on Google and write articles on a word processing programme that has a built in spell checker! Yet I am also aware that all this technology has a downside and that schools these days will have sessions on Cyber bullying. This week an App was launched, supported by The Duke of Cambridge’s mental health charity, designed to help youngsters keep alert and safe whilst on-line.
‘Taking a step back’ means deliberately pausing and reviewing both the path already taken and the one in front of us. These can be pivotal moments and forks in the road that determine our future.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, ‘A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds’. In other words, there are times when changing our minds and coming to fresh conclusions is a sign of maturity, not weakness.
As I write the Supreme Court, opposite Westminster Abbey, is pondering whether or not the Proroguing of Parliament this autumn is an abuse of the system. It’s a ‘stepping back’ moment, to pause the tape and take a considered view.
We all need such moments in our lives because, by and large, life runs on at quite a pace and we can be swept up by events. Liturgically we do this on Sunday mornings in church as we share in the Prayer of Confession. Confession includes reflection. We are called to ponder the events of the last week. In doing so we are all aware of moments things have been done well and occasions we have fallen short. In the quietness of prayer we acknowledge all this before God seeking his renewal and help for the week to come.
Centuries of worship has taught us that ‘taking a step back’, such as a time of reflection and confession, can be positive and healthy – even good for the soul.
Like most of you reading this, I’ve embraced new technology with enthusiasm and enjoy the benefits of communicating using WhatsApp, writing sermons with the ability to reference facts on Google and write articles on a word processing programme that has a built in spell checker! Yet I am also aware that all this technology has a downside and that schools these days will have sessions on Cyber bullying. This week an App was launched, supported by The Duke of Cambridge’s mental health charity, designed to help youngsters keep alert and safe whilst on-line.
‘Taking a step back’ means deliberately pausing and reviewing both the path already taken and the one in front of us. These can be pivotal moments and forks in the road that determine our future.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, ‘A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds’. In other words, there are times when changing our minds and coming to fresh conclusions is a sign of maturity, not weakness.
As I write the Supreme Court, opposite Westminster Abbey, is pondering whether or not the Proroguing of Parliament this autumn is an abuse of the system. It’s a ‘stepping back’ moment, to pause the tape and take a considered view.
We all need such moments in our lives because, by and large, life runs on at quite a pace and we can be swept up by events. Liturgically we do this on Sunday mornings in church as we share in the Prayer of Confession. Confession includes reflection. We are called to ponder the events of the last week. In doing so we are all aware of moments things have been done well and occasions we have fallen short. In the quietness of prayer we acknowledge all this before God seeking his renewal and help for the week to come.
Centuries of worship has taught us that ‘taking a step back’, such as a time of reflection and confession, can be positive and healthy – even good for the soul.
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