A friend lies in a hospital bed fighting for his life. The prognosis is grim and startling. The family finds comfort in the arms of friends who have gathered in the waiting room. Surgery follows a tense day and night of waiting. Prayers rise, hearts hurt, memories bubble to the surface, and love is poured out.
One of the evidences of God’s goodness that has come shining through these difficult days is the power of technology. Within minutes, news of this man’s struggle was being shared across electronic lines. Text messages, email, and Facebook became lifelines. People across the country and around the world started praying. Encouragement flooded into electronic mailboxes. Messages of hope, endurance, love, and expectation of God’s movement were posted. Stories of the impact of this one man’s life were shared, inspiring others to walk more closely with Jesus.
This is technology at its best. In a world in which we often complain about the negative impact technology can have on connection and its ability to influence us in less than wholesome ways, God uses this moment to teach us to see it differently. What if Christians used the power of technology more deliberately? What if I made the intentional move to use every email, Facebook post, and text message to look like Jesus? These amazing forms of communication hold the opportunity for more good than we can imagine if we will only surrender them into His hands.
My Jesus Resolution today is to see the possibilities in the technology I use. Instead of griping on Facebook, I am going to use the moment to glorify God, give Him praise for a blessing, or gently listen and love. I want to catch a glimpse of the power text messages have for encouragement. I am going to write an email today that carries with it a message of hope. The way we use technology speaks loudly about who we are and where our priorities rest. I want mine to look like Jesus.
Casandra Martin 
This really hit home today-my niece and her husband have been anxiously awaiting and preparing for the arrival of their twins. Everything was going well, but when the twins were delivered, one did not survive. The flood of prayers, sympathy, love and offers of help posted on facebook has been amazing as the news has spread. We can indeed use technology to show Jesus to others!
Have recently seen this aspect of technology, during the long illness and death of a niece by marriage. The loving messages that poured in during this time were a great example of how this medium can be used for good. Her cheerful aspect and positive outlook, which were both a result of her enduring faith, were such an uplifting lesson for all those who were reading the blog site that was kept by her husband. Thanks for encouraging us to also look like Jesus through this means of communication.
Thank you for this reminder, Casandra. If I recall correctly, the same charge was leveled at the printing press and other forms of mass communication. Even Martin Luther said “I am afraid that the schools will prove the very gates of hell, unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures and engraving them in the heart of the youth.”
With much potential comes much responsibility, no?
“To whom much is given, much will be required.” Luke 12:48