READ: GENESIS 1:26-28; ROMANS 8:22-25; COLOSSIANS 1:15-23; 1 PETER 1:3-5

“Humans have made a mess of this world. It’s time for them not to be in charge.” I backed away after the android said this, clicking its long metal fingers together. A product of the recent technological singularity, this artificial intelligence was trying to take over the planet.

“I hope you will all listen to me,” it said, “and do what I say. We are going to make another world, a better one. But for those who stand in the way…” Its fingers formed into a fist.

I had to stall the vile machine, since my friends were furiously cooking up something that might be able to stop it. I cleared my throat nervously. “You can’t make the world better, even if we are the ones who messed it up. Besides, I don’t think you are in charge.”

Red eyes fixed themselves upon me. “Really.”

“In fact,” I said, still backing away, “humans will always be in charge. A human being is ruling the entire universe right now. His name is Jesus. And even though we’ve made a mess of things because of our sin, Jesus is sinless. And He loves us. He is the One who’s going to make a better world when He returns. So even if you take over the whole world, you aren’t really in charge.”

The thing came after me, metal feet clanking on the floor. The stalling was done, it seemed. I dove under a table as it lunged. The lights went out, and for a second I thought I had been knocked unconscious.

Then the lab flickered with candlelight, and I gasped as I saw the motionless android hovering above me, arm raised with clawed fingers ready to strike. My friends pulled me away. “We used its own weapon!” they said, holding up a pocket-sized EMP device that delivered an electromagnetic pulse and disrupted electrical systems. “Took out the electricity for half a mile. If we hurry, we can reach the main backup computer before the intelligence finds a way to reboot.” I nodded and breathed a sigh of relief. • Kevin Zeller

• Do you ever feel like humans are messing up the whole world? How does God respond? (John 3:16-17) How might knowing that Jesus rules everything affect our view of all creation?

• The Holy Spirit empowers Christians to follow all God’s commands, such as Genesis 1:26-28 and Matthew 22:37-40. What are some ways we can show Christ’s renewal in the world today?

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.” Matthew 28:18 (NLT)