A moving story of Naya*, who discovers an unexpected calling to offer hope and kindness to others online. Through compassion and thoughtful dialogue, she helps people explore truth and find encouragement where they least expect it.
Naya* sits in silence, the blue glow emanating from her computer screen reflected in tears that gather in her eyes and then slip down her cheeks. She places her fingers on the keyboard and begins to type.
This is not the job Naya imagined she would be doing back in her high school days. Embracing the expectations that she would become a nurse, Naya worked hard to prepare herself for acceptance into a nursing program. However, her plans unraveled when she missed the required exam score by just one and a half points.
Surrendering her life to God’s guidance, she prayed, “Lord, what do you want me to do?”
Naya married a pastor and became busy raising children and serving the local church community. “I was ambivalent about the need for sharing God’s love in the broader context where we lived,” she says, explaining the challenges of sharing in places of conflict where it’s hard to wish your enemies well when they are persecuting and trying to harm you. “God,” Naya prayed, “you said to spread the gospel to everyone, but I live in a place where I cannot do that without major problems for us.”
Little did Naya know what God had in store for her. When she attended a seminar on serving through digital methods, the leader quickly recognized her gift for clear, relatable communication and her ability to make biblical truths easy to understand. He invited her to join his team of people responding to spiritual questions on social media. Naya sensed God’s leading and accepted.
In the beginning, the flood of harsh, hate-filled messages felt overwhelming, and she prayed that God would send more people who were truly searching. Along the way, she came to realize that she also needed God to work in her, so she could serve with compassion and wisdom.
Today, the hostile messages are fewer, and Naya has gained discernment and confidence, learning to respond calmly with solid reasoning and thoughtful questions that draw people in and encourage honest exploration of Scripture.
“We really have to know what we believe,” she says. “There are so many misconceptions about our faith. But when you can share directly from the Bible, it earns people’s respect and builds their confidence in the Bible itself. They begin to see it as God’s Word.”
Naya’s enthusiasm is contagious as she describes what it’s like to see someone opening their heart to Jesus–and this is what brings tears to her eyes as she sits in front of her computer, fingers poised over the keys to share hope. “I just shed tears at what I’m seeing,” she says. “In the past, I never imagined that God would work inside such people. When you see how the Holy Spirit is opening people’s hearts–you are seeing a big miracle.”
When Naya recalls her past fear to speak out, she marvels at how God has allowed her to communicate with people from all over while sitting in the quiet of her own private space, surrounded by four walls. Eyes misting over, Naya speaks softly: “I really don’t deserve to serve God! I am so grateful for how He led me. Now I can see that God had a big plan for my life all along.”
Naya encourages you to support this ministry and to use social media yourself to serve others–to help them feel safe to open their hearts and ask questions. “We need more workers,” she says. “God is able to do His work, but in the end, we will be judged if we don’t do our part–it’s His choice to use us. No matter who we are, we can share the gospel and experience a passion for God’s work.”
*Not her real name
Let us pray: God of the harvest, thank you for allowing us to be agents of your love in this dark world. Please bless Naya and all those who are digital ambassadors for you, and help me to be aware of how you are guiding me to work for you.