Google or God

What is the best way to get to my hotel? Google it. How do you solve this math problem? Google it. Problems with the vacuum? Google it. Best rates on insurance? Google it. Unexpected results on blood work? Google it. 

It seems that for every question, I find myself running to Google for solutions. You, too? We seek relationship advice, parenting suggestions, and answers to life's puzzling questions via the internet. We are in search of quick answers, simple solutions, sound advice that will help us overcome all our problems. I got to wondering the other day if I spend more time consulting Google than God. Who do I talk to more? Have you ever been like that? Or maybe you are not guilty of using the internet. Maybe you turn more to friends and family when problems come along. Not that it is all bad to seek council, but I would pose the same question to you --do you spend more time consulting people (your form of Google) than God? Is it possible that the awesome tools that we have at our fingertips have subtly become a substitute for seeking God for advice?

I have to confess I love searching for recipes, ideas, and cute stuff on Pinterest. I can get lost looking at websites for new ideas and research on new learning. I am a huge fan of all things technology! But I have to wonder if searching for answers to life's little problems has trained me to search for solutions to the big stuff, too? Have I let the search engines become my way of seeking solutions to the exclusion of seeking God for advice?

Through the last year of dealing with a rare cancer, I have found myself scouring the internet for information. Even my doctors don't have answers to many of my questions because there is just not much depth of information available. None of my local doctors have seen a case like me. I have felt a burden (and there has been a legitimate need) to discover answers for the things they cannot tell me. In doing so, I have sat before my computer with my heart racing  and hands trembling in fear over some of the things I have read. I have felt hopeless and powerless when I see man's statistics and survival rates. I have been sapped of my strength as I have searched for earthly answers to my questions. And then it hit me. Never once have I read the Bible and felt that way. Never once has God's word made my heart pound in fear. Never once have I read it and felt more hopeless and powerless. Never once have I been sapped of my strength when I seek His answers in prayer. In fact, I have the opposite reaction. God's word brings comfort and power. In it I find hope and strength. What I seek from Google, only God can give.  Jeremiah 33:3 says, "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." All the search engines in the world can not find answers to unsearchable things. Only God can do that. Man's answers to heavenly questions are equivalent to Wikipedia as a source for a research paper-- not to be considered trustworthy unless verified, by God.

So I have some work to do. When I am seeking answers to the big life questions I have to choose between Google or God. I choose God. (But I must confess, I am still relying on Wolfram Alpha and YouTube to help me with my boy's 7th grade math!!!).

 "For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go." 

 Psalm 2:6,9

In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.

Psalm 86:7

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1