But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. – 2 Corinthians 3:16-18

It’s unusual for me to write about technology. First, I am not that well-equipped in the knowledge department. Then, the way God interfaces with my spirit typically utilizes pathways that are not exactly reducible to ones and zeros.

But Thursday lunchtime I attended a Rotary meeting featuring a speaker who offered a fascinating report on what’s happening and what’s next in the world of RFID and AI.

Booth Kalmbach is the Founder and CEO of TRILLIOT. His company offers software that – essentially – manages the information generated by Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID).

He talked a lot about passive Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) RFID technology. What really grabbed my attention was the “passive” part of this. These labels are showing up on everything but they don’t “power up” until they are triggered by radio waves emitted either from hand-held readers or fixed devices installed at doorways, loading docks etc.

The technology is exploding and is being adopted as one more way to manage information, to know where things are, to best utilize inventory, to streamline services and to avoid waste (right now I could personally use it in everything from our storage shed to my bookcases to the contents of my kitchen!).

Powered Up:

All this information is held on a printable label that powers up from dormant to active when it is hit by a radio wave (around 2-4W).

This a great metaphor for an idea I talked about in the Men’s Bible Study recently. I suggested that Jesus is a catalyst in terms of the connection to God that is a natural part of our purpose as created beings.

I believe that all of us, without exception, were imagined, designed, created and then gifted to this world with what is, in a sense, a preprogramed facility for relationship with The Creator. The invitation Jesus offers us is like the radio-wave that hits the RFID label.

The question for us – especially at this time of the year – is Are we going to allow ourselves to move out of passive mode? Are we going to ignore the invitation, or instead place ourselves in situations where we are constantly bombarded with the signal – like prayer, gratitude, church, Bible Study, fellowship, grace, generosity, service…?

Like I said in the opening paragraph, the way God interfaces with my spirit typically utilizes pathways that are not exactly reducible to ones and zeros. But we can all look up every once in a while, and we can take in the message.

Do you see that bright star, moving from the East? Do you see the child in the manger? Do you hear the bells coming from the church down the street? Do you hear the angels singing? Do you hear the Shepherds voicing astonishment and praise?
It came upon the midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, good will to all,
from heaven’s all-gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay,
to hear the angels sing.