PRIVACY INVADED?

In recent days there’s been a lot of talk about privacy issues concerning the internet.   Google, in particular, has been singled out because of the changes it has made regarding the information it collects about individuals and how that information is used.

We like to think of our private lives as being “private.”   We feel uncomfortable when we realize that our every move is being tracked, even though we may have nothing to hide.  Somehow, there’s a sense of being violated when our privacy is invaded.

My generation grew up with an a respect for the privacy of others.  To enforce that, laws were made about such things as eavesdropping and wiretapping. 

However, the internet has created a new reality.  With no laws on the books and with our innocent unawareness, the internet has invaded our privacy in ways we can hardly comprehend.  We feel violated when, without our knowledge or permission, information about us is being recorded and made available or sold to other entities in our society who seek to target us. 

And, not only that, but there are actual dangers -- those who seek to use our private information against us, such as stealing our identity.

Feeling violated and helpless, I don’t really like this invasion of privacy, but at least I can take comfort in the fact that no one can know or record my inner thoughts! 

Or can Someone?

“...for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts.”  (I Chronicles 28:9b)

            “For He knows the secrets of the heart.” (Psalm 44:21b)

            “You know my reproach and my shame and my dishonor.” (Psalm 69:19)

            “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and

            laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”  (Hebrews 4:13)

            “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may

            strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”  (II Chronicles 16:9)

Most of us live out our lives unaware that even our most private thoughts and actions are known by the One who created us! 

In reality, my privacy has always been invaded and recorded by God who knows me intimately.  I’m not anonymous with Him.  He knows me in the truest sense of the word.  I can’t hide anything from Him; He is all-knowing. 

So, if my privacy is already being invaded by God, why am I so concerned about my privacy being invaded by the internet? 

It all has to do with the one doing the invading.

Because God is who He is, I know I can trust Him.  His predisposition toward me is one of “goodwill.”  He uses the information He knows about me to draw me to Himself in love, with the intent of transforming my heart to be like His.  In fact, being intimately known by God brings comfort when I’m a right relationship with Him.

The internet, on the other hand, is not particularly trustworthy.  The use of the information gathered about me is used by others to, in a sense, exploit me.  Money and power are the motivating factors behind the invasion of my privacy.  This produces fear and anxiety rather than love and comfort.  

But, because I live in this new reality of the internet age, I have to make a choice.  I can hibernate and refuse to use the internet out of mistrust and fear, or I can learn to use it wisely and embrace it for what it has to offer, trusting the One who is trustworthy and all-knowing to protect me from any harm -- for ultimately He, who is all-knowing, has the most power. 

No one -- not even Google -- can invade God’s privacy or override His power!