Using “Google Instant Search,” I decided to do an experiment to determine how many letters it would take for their algorithm to recognize that I was searching for references to deity—not pop culture. After starting from scratch, by clearing my browser and search histories, I started typing, and here’s what happened:
One letter “J” yielded Justin Bieber, Jetblue. “JE” yielded Jennifer Lawrence, Jeep, and Jetblue. “JES” yielded Jessica Simpson, Jessica Biel, Jessica Alba, and Jessie. Google required four letters, “JESU,” before indexing “Jesus.”
I moved on to “God.” “G” yielded: Google, Gmail, Google Maps. “GO” also resulted in only Google brands. Even typing in the full name “God” listed GoDaddy, Godzilla, and Andy Crouch (a writer for Christianity Today) before God.
Though I can’t imagine coders could or would program their algorithms to avoid deity, I do believe the only sure place to go for truth about God and His name is directly to His Word. Indeed, beyond an Internet search, we are to “seek the LORD [our] God with all [our] heart and soul” (1 Chronicles 22:19). Why seek His name? “For his name is very great; his glory towers over the earth and heaven!” (Psalm 148:13).
And God’s Son, Jesus Christ, is never dwarfed by even the most recognized and celebrated people on earth, for “God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).
Let everything praise God, for He is great and worthy of all our praise (Psalm 148:1,5-6).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Exodus 5:1-23
More:
Read Psalm 52:9 and give praise to God for His “good name.”
Next:
How can you lift up God’s name in your interactions with others? What will happen if you truly seek God and the fullness of His name this week?
Gary Shultz on February 4, 2015 at 5:37 am
That is a shame; however, I hope it was not unexpected, since you conducted the search. Even if the world could prove it is better served by those popular names and things, few will be looking or want Jesus. I’m thankful that all of this does not change, as you elude to, anything about the One we call Jesus. We hope and pray that people would recognize Jesus for who He is. Some are ignorant, some actively defiant. God calls us to show the love of Jesus to a world who is affixed on other things. We need Him in this endeavor. Thanks
Tom Felten on February 4, 2015 at 9:28 am
Roxanne, I’m reminded of how all people will worship something. As you presented in the Scripture at the close of your article, may we worship the one true God today—revealing His Word and ways to those around us. Contemporary culture can be interesting and capture our attention but only God is worthy of our true devotion.