The Corporate Clones - Dare 2 Share
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students to reach their world.
Helping youth leaders empower
students to reach their world.

The Corporate Clones

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Would you rather be a clone or a robot?

I guess there are advantages—and many disadvantages—to both, but if being a robot means that I would have to work on the stage at Chuck-E-Cheese, then I would choose clone a million times over!

There is a danger in defining your value by what you can do.

In the BBC America series Orphan Black, the protagonist, Sarah, is dealing with a whole world of clones, or maybe robots (?)—but either way, a whole new world of ethical and moral dilemmas paint the horizon of this sci-fi conspiracy drama.

Yet to date (and sadly), there has not been a single Chuck-E-Cheese reference…

In the OB series, the clones are used by the mysterious and sinister Dyad Institute, not in an enslaving manner, per se, but it is rather chilling to see the parallels between the function of the OB clones and how many of us live our lives.

Say whaaaat?

Hear me out on this one for a minute. As I mentioned before, the OB clones aren’t worker bees that need to realize their dignity and revolt. But they are valuable to the Dyad Institute for playing a certain role—so they can be monitored for data collection and analysis.

In other words, the clones value comes in the form of what they do and how much they can be used, rather than from who they are.

Sound familiar? We would like to think that we aren’t like the clones, but trust me, you are being monitored. Every time you click a link on Facebook or conduct a google search, there are shadowy corporations keeping track of you.

In many ways, there isn’t much we can do about this if we want to enjoy the modern technological lifestyle, but on the other hand, there is a danger in defining your value by what you can do, rather than by who you are.

For example, if you define some or all of your self-worth by how many friends or likes you have on Facebook, or by followers on Instagram or Twitter, you are in danger of cloning yourself into a consumer product to some gihugic corporation!

Perhaps that is why almost 2000 years before there was even a conception of cloning or the Internet, God warned us of this potential dehumanizing process:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2).

Or here is how another translation of the Bible puts it:

With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him. Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity (Romans 12:1-2, JB Phillips).

The world has always had a way of “squeezing us into its own mould,” in terms of taking our eyes off the worth and value we have as His beloved children. Our identity should lie in the way we are already accepted by Jesus, and not in the way our world follows or “friends” us!

Start living like the eternal being God created you to be!

When we tie ourselves to our social networks, we become cultural clones who start obeying our “master”—the world—who tells us to focus on the temporary and the superficial external.

But when we let God “re-mould” our minds from the inside out through His word and our walk with Him, we live out the truly unique, dignifying and freeing plan that God has for our lives.

So why not stop clicking and start unplugging from the cloning devices of the world now and then? Spend some time enjoying the beauty of God’s creation and the soul feeding truth of His Word, and you will start feeling like the ever living/never dying eternal being God created you to be!

Flashpoint: Ignite Into Action

This week, keep track of how much time you are spending clicking, as opposed to talking and connecting with the people God has placed in your life. Remember that THE Cause is a person to person thing, and not a corporate clone thing!

Accelerant: Fuel for THE Cause

Pray: Father, thank You for redeeming our lives from the meaningless destiny of becoming corporate clones on the internet. Help us to look up from the screen and look around at the opportunities to relate to those who need to see You through us.

Read: Titus 2:12. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God.

Get: Salt “How Valuable Am I?” YouTube Clip. Check out this free conversation starting video about were our value really comes from and use to initiate a gospel conversation with a friend who needs Jesus.

Discussion Guide for Leaders

Want to use this Soul Fuel as a bible study with your students this week? Copy and text them the following: “Don’t become one of the Corporate Clones! Check out this week’s devo: http://hubs.ly/y0V2VB0

Big Idea: We are in danger of becoming clones if we don’t get away from technology and start fulfilling our calling to THE Cause of Christ.

Key Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Discussion Questions:

  • Would you meet your clone if you had the chance?
  • Are clones also made in the image of God?
  • What is one way you can keep from becoming a corporate clone?
  • How can you apply this Soul Fuel to THE Cause?

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