When God Had a Task, Many Times He Chose a Woman
Lately I've been looking at how God can use the influence of just one woman to change the course of history. Many times in Scripture we see that when God had a job to be done, He'd pick a woman to do it.
Remember the wedding in John chapter 2? It was the mother of Jesus who noticed they were running out of wine. She went straight to Jesus about it, and He performed His first miracle by turning water into wine.
Consider who the resurrected Lord appeared to first. Remember who it was? The risen Jesus first appeared to a woman, Mary Magdalene. How awesome!
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Time and again we see how God chose a woman to influence others and to accomplish His will.
If you're like me, you too want to be used by God — picked to fulfill His divine purposes. For many of us, that desire might also come with feelings of inadequacy. Sometimes we feel like we're just not good enough to do it.
I've always dreaded picking teams and choosing sides — all the way back to the play yard game … "Red Rover, Red Rover, let Debbie come over." I never could break the line! And, it seems I was always picked last for dodge ball. I'm just not athletic enough, and I know that I will never be good enough in that area.
What about you? Are there times when you just don't feel good enough? How would you finish this statement: I am just not _________________ enough.
I used to believe that if God needed something important done, He would ask someone who had it all together. You know the type … great job, good kids, cute hair, perfect size, clean house, loves to exercise, always has dinner on the table, and Lord knows she has filled in every blank in her Bible study workbook!
Rahab, in Joshua chapter 2, probably didn't have any of those things and most certainly didn't own a Bible study workbook. You see, she was a prostitute. By anyone's standard, she was not good enough. Yet the Lord picked Rahab for a very important job. God saw in her what she only dreamed she could be — the perfect girl!
And He sees the same in you!
Rahab acted in faith as she sheltered and protected God's people from disaster … at the risk of her own life. In turn, she and her entire family were saved from calamity. Her faith changed the course of history for her and her family.
Rahab's story reminds us that our faithful behavior affects those around us (as does our unfaithful behavior). Just as you keep your eyes on the behavior of others … others are keeping their eyes on you! God can bless both us and others when we act in faith.
What step of faith might the Lord be asking you to make today? Is it to share your faith with someone close to you or impart the wisdom God has given you to the next generation? Is it to care for an aging parent or someone hurting? Or is it the daily, persevering work of loving your spouse, raising your kids, and completing the tasks in front of you without grumbling or complaining?
Whatever faith looks like in your life right now, don't compare yourself to others around you or think that your past disqualifies you from being used by the Lord. Use the truth of God's Word to move forward in faith and obedience and allow Him do a great work in and through your life. Whatever your doubts are, line them up with God's Word. …
If you say: "I just can't do anything right."
Remember … the Lord will give you His strength to do what is right. The Lord says, "I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10).
If you say: "I feel that I'm too weak."
Remember … the Lord's power is perfect when you are weak. The Bible says, "My [Jesus'] grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
If you say: "It's too late. I'm too old to make a difference."
Remember … the Lord has blessed your years with wisdom. The Bible says, "Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old" (Job 12:12 NLT).
If you say: "I've made too many mistakes and done too many bad things. God can't forgive me."
Remember ... the Lord has forgiven you of all your sins. The Lord says, "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more" (Isaiah 43:25).
If you say: "I just don't think God can use me."
Remember ... the Lord has chosen you and appointed you to bear fruit for Him. The Lord says, "I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last" (John 15:16).
When you feel that you don't matter, that your opportunities are over, that your mistakes are too many and your abilities are too few, remember He loves you so much He sacrificed His own Son for you!
When you feel that God uses only other people and not you, remember that He chose you! He sees you as His child, who is loved beyond measure.
You're not just adequate, but amazingly able. You are not worthless or too young or too old. You are made perfect in Him, full of His knowledge and grace to change history for His purpose and glory. He made you, so that with Him you are good enough!
So the next time you feel like you're not enough, remember that God is with you, will use you, and will complete what He started in you.
"I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." (Philippians 1:6 NLT)
