Pastors Desk

AUTOCOMPLETE: "What did..."

Pastor Hurst

Sep 7, 2014

6 min read

Google has become the immediate resort for those who have questions. Have a question? Begin to type what you think is a very specific question, and, after typing a few words, the whole question suddenly appears in the search bar. Google search didn't read your mind. What happened was autocomplete. From your beginning words, the autocomplete function predicts what you are going to type and anticipates the remaining words. When you suddenly have your question autocompleted, it occurs to you, "Someone else has already Googled my question." After just typing the previous sentence, I stopped to try it. I thought, "Suppose I have a question about my child's behavior." So, I began typing, What do I do when my child..." suddenly there were a list of possible completions. But, let's say what I wanted to ask was, "What do I do when my child throws a temper tantrum?" The autocomplete had listed thatquestion in the drop down box. Strangely, I have taken comfort from autocomplete; it has taught me something about questions. 1. There is not something wrong with me for having this question, for not knowing the answer. Others have had the same question. 2. If others have had the same question, not only am I not weirdly unique, I am not alone. Others are going through the same thing, have the same question, are in the same place I am. Others are having the same trouble, struggling with the same problems, wondering about the same thing. 3. There must be answers. Is it even conceivable that a question is going to be asked on the internet with at least there being opinions offered as answers? Oh, yes, if autocomplete predicts my question, someone has asked it; and, if someone has asked it, there will be, correct or not, helpful or not, responses to my question. Someone, very probably has found a solution to my problem, an answer to my question. When I take my questions of life to the Bible, the results may not be as immediate as Google, but I find somewhere in the Bible someone has already asked my question. Or, the Bible has anticipated I'd ask that question. I take my questions to Psalms and realize I am not weirdly unique. I am not alone. Someone has found an answer to or at least a peace about my question. People of faith have questions. I find real comfort in searching the Bible for answers. One more thing: Sometimes, I find the autocomplete predicts my question, not necessarily because someone else has already asked it, but because, although I had forgotten, I had previously Googled that question. This reminds me of the need of grace. I don't always get things the first time. I forget. I often have to relearn. Sometimes I forget the answer and must read the answers again.

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