The sermon was – in a word – convicting. When was the last time I prayed for God to give me the opportunity to share my faith? As that question was asked, my heart dropped to my feet recounting my selfish prayers of late. I’ve prayed for my children, my husband, other family members, and friends. I’ve prayed about sicknesses, grief, loss, and pain. I’ve asked for direction, guidance, peace and wisdom. But when was the last time I asked Him to give me an opportunity to share what He’s done for me?

Most pastors spend a lot of time trying to get folks to put away their cell phones at church. My pastor is no exception. Verbally, in print, on the screen – even during a sermon – we’ve been politely asked to silence and put away our phones. So when my pastor asked everyone to get out their cell phones and turn them on, the convicting mood and tension in the room lifted. Adults and teenagers alike quickly reached for their favorite accessory and the room was illuminated with the blue-green glow of digital backlight.

It was a challenge – not quite a trap but close – that our pastor issued. He asked that each of us send a text message to someone who could hold us accountable and asked that we send the message, “God, open the door.” He asked that we post as our status update on Facebook “God, open the door.” He asked that we place this simple prayer on every place others see and that we genuinely seek an opportunity to share God’s love with others this week.

In addition to posting the message on Facebook via my phone, I quickly logged into Blackberry Messenger and updated my status there. Similar to other chat or messenger applications, Blackberry Messenger is for Blackberry owners and allows for users to share if they’re available to chat as well as enter a short message. Because of those features and the ability to set a profile picture, Blackberry users opt to use the application instead of basic text messaging.

When I entered my “God, open the door” message on Blackberry Messenger and saved my changes, I quickly checked to make sure my message (including my spelling) was correct. It was at that moment that the reality of what I was saying set in.

On my screen (and my contacts screens as well), was the message “Available - God open the door.”

Although unintentional, the message is clear. I am telling God (and the world) that I am available for whatever He deems necessary and useful. It was a sobering moment. What will He have me say and do? Where will He have me go?

Many of you reading this are probably saying, “Well, yes. That’s what you’re supposed to do. Go where He says, do what He asks, say what He wants.” But do we mean it? Are we really willing to go and do as He asks? What if He asks us to go to a foreign country, eat strange things and sleep on the ground? What if He asks us to give all we have away and live an impoverished life? What if He asks our lives of us – or perhaps worse, our children’s lives?

I found myself wondering if God saw what I did. By putting my request on Facebook and Blackberry Messenger – essentially social mediums – would He see it? Would He expect me to mean it? Does God even pay attention to social media?