Algorithms for Life

I was reminded of codes recently, and a couple of new code experiences came to mind…

• In the sixth grade, my friend and I learned American Sign Language (ASL) alphabet and Morse Code so we could cheat on tests. It was a crammed class of students that were making Straight A’s, including the guy who had failed twice!
• I loved to read WWII books of code-breaking

Since leaving high school in 1972, I have been involved with technology. From keypunch card days and large mainframes to modern web teams and powerful personal computers, I have been fortunate to be a part of the changes that have impacted how we live and do business.

Much of my training and experience revolved around problem-solving and analytical thinking exercises. From organizing data and workflow to produce desired results or from developing application systems to process data, I’ve been involved in trying to critically create steps that will produce a specific output.

This process can be summed up in a single word that causes those who are math or science challenged to cringe.

What is this word? Algorithm.

One definition states that an algorithm is “…a set of rules for solving a problem in a finite number of steps…” while another definition states “…any set of detailed instructions which results in a predictable end-state from a known beginning…”

Regardless of the definition, algorithms are“rules” or “steps” created and followed to produce desired results. The key is that you know the beginning, and you will comprehend the ending before you reach it.

Results are only guaranteed if the rules or steps are good
and the instructions followed!

As we wrote programs or followed instructions to complete some tasks, we often used the acronym GIGO: “garbage in… garbage out…”

We see this humorously when we take an algorithm into the kitchen and try to prepare and cook a meal from a cookbook (essentially an algorithm of steps or instructions to follow to produce desired or expected results). With incorrectly followed steps, we get a different meal result.

Books, Books, and More Books

Authors abound in the leadership arena to provide steps on how to become successful in some ventures. With more titles than you can shake a stick at, there are algorithmic books that give us 21 steps to be a good leader by one author or by following the mantra that you must first break all the rules.

Many have created techniques to foster leadership qualities in those that are already or aspiring to be a leader.

In a Father’s Day card this year, my son states that he has me to thank for what he has become – this causes me to look closer at my son as a result and assess whether my algorithms on being a Father were successful. And this gives me pause to look over my shoulder and consider all the algorithms of life that I have followed and ponder whether they will produce success and prosperity or have been full of garbage.

Here’s my thought today.

Scripture gives us an early definition of how to be successful. When Joshua takes the reins of a nation, following in the footsteps of Moses, God commands him:

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
(Joshua 1:8-9).

Prosperity and success came from attending to the 600+ instructions in the law book. It was not a simple task easily followed, as there were many algorithms within the law to create a prosperous life. Some tasks were designed to be followed by a select few, or even one, while other laws were followed by everyone.

Leadership Qualities from Jesus

Jesus provided several additional algorithms for successful living that were built upon the law of the Old Testament:

• Matthew 6:33– But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
• Matthew 7:7-8 – Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
• Luke 13:24 – Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Each of these produces greatly desired results, and the steps taken produce a better life.

The Greatest Algorithm

However, of all the algorithms we live by, surely there must be something that rises to the top of the heap as being the most important.

Yes. I think so. There was another time Jesus was being questioned by a lawyer:

But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. 
(Matthew 22:34-40 KJV)

Noticed His ending comment, “…on these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets…”

The English Standard Version (ESV) translates this statement as this: “…On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets…”

Even a different translation brings it into common English language we all can understand.

All of Moses’ Teachings and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.”
(Matthew 22:40 GW)

Sum It Up

In other words, everything we have in a Judeo-Christian belief system is wrapped up inside this summation. From Moses, through the prophets, and into the Church Age. Love God. Love Others.

The root of instructions finds a home in the concept of Love. Not the love of this world – which will produce worldly results, but the love of God that gives us an opportunity to love others as God has loved us – individually and collectively as His beloved individual and a collected group of created beings.

Love produces results that truly create success and prosperity in a person’s life. Regardless of the algorithms that mankind has created to produce desired results, nothing, absolutely nothing, will create more success and prosperity in our lives than following the Algorithm for Life.

This blog post has been the source of my writing since I started blogging.
It is threaded through every post I have ever written.
Why? It’s Who I Am!

(Updated 07/21/22)