As an entrepreneur and business owner, I am constantly amazed at how the online space is continually coming up with new and different ways to do things you thought were fine just as they were. Just when I thought I had seen it all and that there was nowhere else for ecommerce, for example, to go, I turn around and someone has released something that turns the game on its head and I find myself sounding a lot like my Grandfather:
“What will they think of next?” *scratches head*
Innovation is an ever-evolving space filled with new ideas and fresh solutions to the problems we see in the world. But is everything we innovate really that “new”.
One could argue that innovation isn’t necessary because the Bible teaches us that nothing is new under the sun. And to some extent that is true.
So why should we bother?
Firstly, because the world will continue to evolve and innovate regardless. So, our choice is either to direct the evolution or get swept along within it, allowing innovation to continue to be self-serving and instead of being a force for good.
Secondly, as Christians, I believe we are called to innovate because it is an act of justice.
Each time we innovate, we have the chance to re-write the institutional and social constructs of the world and change people’s lives.
I see this every day when I look at the work Thread Harvest does by trying to end exploitation in the supply chain and clean up one of the most polluting industries in the world. With every advancement in technology, we are getting smarter with how we make our clothes, what we make them from and how we dispose of them.
Finally, we need to be at the forefront of innovation because we are made in the image of God, and he is the most innovative force on the planet. It is an act of worship act on the creativity he endowed us with. By stepping into the creative space of innovation we outwork his will and bring his justice to the world, but more importantly, we become His hands and feet in drawing his world and creation back to him.
This is why Christians need to be at the forefront of innovation.
How will you step into your opportunity to innovate a better world?