Good Things Come For Those Who Click | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Good Things Come For Those Who Click | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marsha Barrow
04/19/13
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“My daddy says that computers are a tool of the devil! No good can come from them!”

A 14-year old high school boy spoke these words to me during Wednesday night youth group. Since my husband and I were the youth directors, our pastor asked us to teach a five-week series on spiritual tools. Of course, my first thoughts drifted to Ephesians 6. What better spiritual tools could a Christian possess than to strap on the full armor of God?

As I studied, prayed, and read God’s word, I envisioned each piece of armor as a bright, shiny tool used to fight spiritual battles. The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes to spread the gospel of peace, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the spirit, and the shield of faith all stress the importance of godly tools. The revelation of His power would motivate these teenagers to stand strong in the Lord and firm in His word, especially under peer pressure.

As I prepared, I realized that I could teach the “Armor of God” in four weeks leaving that final week to focus on something else, something that was becoming a strong presence in our world: technology. These kids were born in an age where computers, cell phones, and digital TVs were and are reshaping our world. Could I possibly prove that computers can be used as spiritual tools?

The armor of God gives us the tools we need to fight against the enemy. It is very important that we put on all of the armor of God. We have battles to fight. If we strap on the full armor, we will win those battles. We may end up wounded if we only wear part of God’s armor, and if we put on nothing, we will end up losing the battle and losing our lives—spiritually speaking.

Being protected against the fiery darts of Satan is vitally important, and in addition, having tools to help us minister to others is just as significant. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (NIV, Matthew 5:16). In a teenage world, with so many temptations luring around every corner, what better person to witness God’s love than a fellow classmate or friend?

I used those five weeks to prove that computers are not tools of the devil. On June 16, 2000, I sat at my computer and randomly sought out “women friends” between the ages of 40 to 50 on ICQ, the first Internet-wide instant messaging service.

Click! The little ICQ flower icon began spinning. It stopped on a woman’s name. I read her profile. I sent her a message asking to be a friend. After “chatting” a while, I asked if she had any prayer requests. She shared a specific need. I typed a prayer. She thanked me, and I listed her as one of my contacts.

Click! Again the random search came up with a name. I “chatted” with this lady, and she, too, expressed a need. I typed a prayer. My fingers flew across the keyboard, typing words that I knew only God could inspire. She thanked me declaring that a stranger had never shown such heartwarming love before. She wrote that she had tears streaming down her cheeks. I added her to my contact list.

Click! Again, I searched and prayed. Talking about the old Yellow Pages' slogan of letting your “fingers do the walking,” well, I was letting my fingers do the praying.

Click! The fourth and final flower landed on a gal who would later become my best friend, but for now, I only knew her as someone whom God would bless.

All four of these women voiced prayer requests. Two or three times a week I would check in with them to “chat,” pray, and share encouraging Bible verses. Within two weeks, all four ladies’ prayers were answered. God is good.

Out of the four, I have since traveled to meet three of them: one in Ohio, one in Virginia, and one in Illinois. Today, I still have contact with these three. We may share our lives from afar, but I know that when we need each other, we are only as far away as the click of a “mouse.”

“My Heavenly Father says that computers can be His tool, and good things can come from them.” Amen and Click!

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