Apple Map
We have had Apple phones for years now and they have wormed their way into our daily endeavors. I don’t remember how many prior software updates it was but at one point, Apple tied the GPS (global positioning satellite) chip in the phone with its own map app. So, for example, you may be out running an errand and the phone will tell you that you are are 15 minutes from home and offer to give you directions.
When I first saw this, I thought it was a little creepy that my phone is keeping track of where I am. I also started reading articles about how courts had subpoenaed a person’s cell phone to get access to their GPS records for investigation of a crime. However, since I don’t plan on pursuing any illegal activities or cheat on my wife, I decided that I could live with my phone knowing my whereabouts.
Then, Apple expanded the software capabilities to tie into my calendar. Now, not only does it offer to direct me home, but it also offers to direct me to appointments if I filled out the location of the appointment on my calendar. A little more creepy but I had already bought in.
Then, I got an Apple Watch and it tied to my phone and offered to transfer the direction prompts to my watch. Now here is something useful, I thought. I’m not willing to hold my phone and glance down at it while driving (I might need to write about that) but I already have the watch on my wrist and it will vibrate when I’m getting near a directional turn.
The real interesting development just happened a couple of weeks ago. I was driving to the church for a group study when my phone asked me if I wanted directions to my “work.” I had not thought about it much but I knew I entered in my home address in my phone setup. But, to the best of my knowledge, there is no storage place for a work address (since I am retired, it isn’t a priority for me to investigate the phone setup options for it). Then I remembered other situations where I had gone somewhere on a regular enough frequency that Apple anticipated the trip. I guess I have driven from home to church often enough that the software imputed the value of “work” to the churches address.
“Work” and church don’t go together. As I thought about it more, I wondered whether “home” fit church more but I discarded that. Then I questioned whether “home” fit my house. Seems like heaven is really my home and this is just my temporary abode. Maybe Apple needs to continue to work on their algorithm…
“For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” - Hebrews 13:14-15 ESV
“These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.” - Hebrews 11:13-16
“’Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’” - John 14:1-7
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’” - Revelation 21:3-4
“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” - 1 Peter 2:11-12
