One of the more unsettling things about the internet is how it seems to read our minds. A couple of weeks ago, when we had the church rummage sale, I priced a couple of donated guitars as a reference. Ever since then, I’ve been inundated with ads for guitars. The “shopping fairies” of the internet have, in their wisdom, discerned that I must be in the market and they’re trying to help. That’s not the first time such a thing has happened … and it won’t be the last.
“Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45).
Somewhere along the way, the internet learned enough to “learn” us. It’s called algorithms.
Our devices study what we pause to watch, what we click, what we linger over, what makes us angry, what makes us laugh, and what keeps us coming back. Algorithms quietly shape our feeds based on our desires. The more attention we give something, the more of it we begin to see.
Spend enough time feeding anger, and angry articles start appearing on your computer. Feed fear, and the world suddenly feels darker. Feed envy, and every life looks better than your own.
The algorithm responds to us … our thoughts, our words, and our desires.
Perhaps that’s why Jesus cared so deeply about the heart.
Long before social media existed, Christ understood that whatever captures our attention eventually shapes our character. What we repeatedly return to begins forming the soul itself. The human heart has always had its own kind of algorithm.
What we love grows.
We can feed anger, fear, envy, or any number of other negative emotions. But the opposite is also true. We can feed positivity and watch as our computers – and our hearts – respond. Worship reshapes us. Mercy softens us. Gratitude changes our vision. Compassion retrains the heart.
The internet is constantly asking: “What do you want to see more of?” “What do you want to buy next?” “What words do you want to hear?”
The Holy Spirit asks something deeper: “What are you becoming?”
One of the real dangers of modern life isn’t simply distraction, but formation without awareness. We are being shaped every day — by headlines, by ads, by entertainment, and a plethora of other noises.
And yet Christ still invites us to fix our eyes on him. Because whatever holds our attention eventually holds our affection. And whatever holds our affection eventually shapes our lives.
As for the internet and algorithms … that’s just spooky.
Prayer: Jesus, you know how easily my attention is pulled in a thousand directions. Train my heart to desire what is good and life-giving. Where anger has hold of me, teach me peace. Where fear has shaped me, teach me trust. Help me fix my attention on you so that my life reflects your love and grace. Amen.
