“But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.'” I Samuel 16:7,(NIV)

Len Goodman, judge on the TV show “Strictly Come Dancing,” has a saying passed down to him from his grandfather - “You can't help the hat your mother put on your head,” meaning, you can't do anything about your background or your upbringing, your past, but you do have a say in your present and future.

Surely though, if God needed something important done, He would ask someone who had it all together. You know those men and women. They never yell at their kids or have an emotional meltdown in the supermarket. They know what they’re having for dinner each night and come to Bible study with their homework done. If God is going to assign an important job to someone, it’s going to be to someone like that. Right?

Think again, read the story of Rahab in the book of Joshua. It gives hope that sometimes the best people for God’s job doesn’t have a perfect life or a perfect faith.

In fact, Rahab’s story tells us that sometimes God chooses those with rough resumes, gritty pasts and dauntless attitudes to get a hard job done. Which is why God chose Rahab when He needed a brave and bold person to protect His warriors.

Rahab was a prostitute who lived within the walls of the city of Jericho. Jericho was a great city, except for the fact that God told the Israelites to conquer it. The people who lived in Jericho weren’t following God, but they had heard of Him and how He helped the Israelites win many battles. When the residents of Jericho learned the Israelites were camped outside their city, they were rightly concerned.

As part of the reconnaissance, Joshua, the leader of the Israelites, sent two spies into the city. The Bible seems to indicate they made a beeline into an unusual place of refuge: Rahab’s home. Now why would God direct them to the house of a woman? And one who didn’t have the best reputation?

There are many reasons why God might have chosen this particular woman to help the spies. But the one that strikes the deepest chord in my heart is that other people might have underestimated Rahab’s potential based on her past and present circumstances. But not God.

Rahab had guts and grit. When the spies arrived, instead of quivering in fear, Rahab thought fast and hid them on her roof. Then she redirected the king’s men, making a way of escape for the spies. God could have chosen someone with a perfect pedigree to help. But on that day, inside the walls of the city, facing warrior spies in danger, none were available.

Rahab, however, was in the perfect position, with the perfect disposition, to do the most good. And God must have seen something tender in the heart of this life-hardened woman and knew He could trust her.

I love this about God. When God looked at Rahab, He didn’t see her past or her profession. He saw her potential. In spite of the challenges and choices of her life, He knew there was a part of Rahab’s heart that was open to Him. And Rahab did not disappoint.

The story ends with the spies escaping and God destroying the city of Jericho and everyone in it — except for Rahab and her family.

Rahab didn’t send the spies away, explaining that she didn’t have the best track record with men. Instead, she devised a plan. She used her boldness to defy the king’s men. She drew from her bravery to protect her family. She risked greatly, and it paid off.

Rahab’s story tells us that although we might list all the reasons why God wouldn’t use us, God prefers to take our personalities, experiences, even the parts of use that seem less-than-pleasant and give them to Him … every part of us. It doesn’t mean He’s going to leave us as we are; God is always refining us. But in His hands, our mess has meaning.

Have you ever stamped “disqualified” on yourself due to your personality or something in your past or present? If so, I pray Rahab’s story encourages you. God has a plan for your life, and He wants you, in all your uniqueness, to make it happen.

Heavenly Father, thank You for looking deeper than what others see, and for seeing my potential. Please help me trust that You want me just as I am and have a plan to use me in Your kingdom. Help me to trust You and Your plan for my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Acknowledgements Proverbs 91 Ministries

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