Does God Use the Internet?

The story begins with a poem I’d written to inspire the attendees at a national speakers’ convention. I subsequently mailed it to my e-mail distribution list. One of the people I sent it to was Cheryl Spicer, who lives in Australia. Through a colleague, I’d become acquainted with Cheryl’s talents and her work with disadvantaged people in Australia, Cambodia and Africa but had never actually met her. She replied to my e-mail with a compliment, and we became friends over the Internet. It was not until a few years later that I learned about the impact my poem had on her life and how the Holy Spirit had been at work.

A trip down under

Cheryl and her husband, Bill, invited my wife, Sally, our daughter, Carly, and me to fly to Australia to meet them. On the second night of our visit, they hosted a welcome dinner for us with a number of fascinating guests. After dinner we learned about the real power of the Internet and the message I’d sent.

Cheryl asked all the guests to speak for a couple of minutes about their lives and the blessings they had received. Then it was Cheryl’s turn. She is a captivating speaker with infectious enthusiasm, and she shared about the tough times she had experienced in the past few years.

We knew she’d overcome an abusive childhood and had gone on to inspire others by speaking about love conquering abuse. But a few years ago the pain of Cheryl’s past overwhelmed her, and her life began to crumble. She spoke movingly about her painful decision to end her suffering and take her own life.

In a depressed state, she sat down at her computer and saw the e-mail from me. Why not? she thought. I’ll just read this one. As she began reading the poem, she felt God was sending her a message — that her life was special, her purpose was powerful and He would provide safe passage away from the desperation she felt.

Cheryl finished reading the e-mail with tears in her eyes. God had intervened via the Internet to save her. How do I deserve such special attention, and how in the world could He spur Mike to send a poem that would touch my heart at just the right time? She couldn’t rationalize it as mere coincidence; she set aside her self-destructive plans and began living with a new hope.

Insights

Later that evening we talked about the lessons we’d learned from the experience:

• We should trust our intuition when the Holy Spirit prompts us to call or write a friend in need. Don’t listen to the questioning voice that would have us hold back and not reach out.

• Pray daily for those in our world; we don’t know what struggles they may be facing today.

• Our expression of care or concern might serve as a spiritual booster shot that may help immunize a person from pain.

• It’s better to be proactive with friends, neighbors and those in need. Don’t wait until it’s too late and then be left to wonder, If only…

• God is more than our Creator. He also creatively influences our lives. He will go the extra mile for us and often works behind the scenes to move us closer to Him.

• Our challenges and trials are important to Him.

• There is hope on our darkest day — if we turn to Him.

• It’s better to communicate our distress with those who might help. He does not want us to close the door on hope or life.

Reach out

God uses His people to play out His purposes in the world. Friendships are a part of that. Whether through the Internet, a phone call or a quickly scribbled note, let others know God loves and cares for them. We may not know how needful the words are to their wounded spirit, but He does.