God Can Use You - Yes, Even You: Lessons from The Story of Rahab
I used to think my past disqualified me.
Because of the choices I made, the things I used to believe, and the things I went through, I believed I wasn’t someone God could use. I thought I had missed my purpose. I felt like I needed to clean myself up first—be more “holy,” more perfect, more like the girls I saw on Instagram who seemed to have it all together.
But then I learned about Rahab.
If you’ve ever felt unworthy or like your story is too messy to matter in God’s plan, I want you to lean in.
Rahab was a prostitute. That’s how the Bible introduces her in Joshua 2. Not a priest. Not a prophet. Not someone “qualified” by religious standards. Just a woman with a reputation—a heavy one. And yet, when the spies came to Jericho, she hid them. She protected them. She believed in their God—our God.
And because of her faith, not only was she and her family saved, but she ended up in the lineage of Jesus.
Let that sink in.
A woman with a past and a bad reputation became part of the greatest redemption story ever told—because of her faith alone.
Learning about Rahab wrecked me, in the best way.
Because for so long, I let shame hold the pen to my story. I believed the lie that God could only use a future version of me—the one who had it all together, who had “redeemed” herself by being better in the world’s eyes.
But God didn’t wait for Rahab to clean up her act.
He used her right where she was, because of her faith—not her past.
And He wants to do the same with us.
I don’t know what your story looks like.
Maybe there are things you’ve done that you’re not proud of.
Maybe you’ve walked away from God more times than you can count.
Or maybe you’ve always felt like you’re not the “type” of girl God would call on for something meaningful.
But if Rahab’s story teaches us anything, it’s this:
God doesn’t call the qualified—He qualifies the called.
He’s not looking at your past to determine your future. He’s looking at your heart right now.
It took me years to start seeing myself the way God sees me.
To stop replaying my mistakes like a highlight reel.
To believe I wasn’t too broken, too far gone, or too much.
Truthfully, I still let shame pick up the pen from time to time.
But Rahab reminds me that faith is the game-changer.
Not perfection. Not performance. Not appearance.
Just faith.
And if God can take a woman like her, redeem her story, and place her in the bloodline of Jesus—then there is nothing He can’t do with yours.
So if you’ve been hiding behind your shame, disqualifying yourself from your calling, or holding your breath until you “fix” everything…
Please hear this:
Your past doesn’t define you.
God’s grace does.
Let’s stop letting our history hold us back from the future God is writing.
Hand Him the pen—and let Him write the rest of your story.
Because even with a messy past, you are exactly the kind of woman God loves to use.
The other day, He reminded me that the very things I’m ashamed of are the things He will use for His glory.
He needs us in all of our mess.
Our lives are a testament to His faithful goodness—and there is no one who writes redemption stories better than God.
He’s not done with you yet.
He sees your worth, even when you don’t.
He rewrites stories and changes labels.
Let your life be living proof of His love.
Ordinary things become miracles with God.
Keep surrendering.
Dig Deeper: Rahab's Redemption & Your Own
Scripture Focus:
Joshua 2:1–21 – Rahab hides the spies
Hebrews 11:31 – “By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.”
Matthew 1:5 – Rahab is listed as a great-grandmother of Jesus
James 2:25 – “In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies…”
Reflection Questions:
In what ways have I let my past define me or disqualify me from being used by God?
What does Rahab’s story show me about God’s grace and who He chooses to work through?
Have I been waiting to be “perfect” before fully stepping into my purpose? Why?
What would it look like to live in the truth that I am already loved, called, and chosen—right now?
Takeaway Truth:
Rahab was not defined by her label or reputation—she was defined by her faith.
And that’s how God sees you too.
You are not your past.
You are not your worst moment.
You are His.
Prayer to End With:
Lord, thank You that You don’t see me the way the world sees me—or the way I sometimes see myself. Thank You for using imperfect people to carry out perfect plans. Help me to let go of shame, step into my calling, and believe that You can use my story for good. Just like Rahab, give me bold faith and a heart that trusts You with everything. In Jesus’ name, amen.
