Author: Joanna K. Harris

The Woman God Used

On a Tuesday afternoon, the streets of Glasgow weren’t crowded. A cold wind blew, and I was thankful for my hooded jacket. I’d just had an amazing visit at the Glasgow Prophetic Center. I was contemplating the encouragement and prayer I’d received. As I walked back toward the parking garage, I almost didn’t stop. But the Holy Spirit tugged at me.

I turned around and went over to the woman I’d just walked past. She was sitting against a building and holding out a paper cup. I dug in my pocket for some change. Then I heard myself say, “Are you ok?”

She mumbled an answer I couldn’t understand. I asked her again, and she said something like, “I’m ok, I just need some money for….” I still couldn’t tell what she said, but I dropped the coins in her cup. After a brief pause, I said, “God bless you.” Then I continued on my way.

You know how almost in the same moment you can have totally different thoughts going through your head? As I walked, I had a thought of gratitude that the Holy Spirit had stopped me, and that I had obeyed, and I had at least done a small act of kindness. 

Then immediately I felt a sense of conviction. What were a few coins when the woman probably didn’t know Jesus? Why hadn’t I just knelt down on the cement and said, “I don’t know you. I don’t know your situation. But Jesus does, and He loves you. Do you know Him? Would you like to know Him?”

Where was boldness? Where was courage to at least say something? Where was the compassion of Jesus, who didn’t just alleviate physical needs, but also healed people’s souls?

These thoughts weren’t the kind of conviction that made me feel guilty. Instead it was like Jesus was calling me deeper. Like He was saying, “Yes, you stopped, you noticed, you did something kind. But don’t stop there. Speak! Tell them about my love.”

I don’t know anything about the woman…except that Jesus loves her. I wish I’d been His voice to her that day to speak something of hope and truth and His great love. Even if I’d spoken with bumbling words, I’m sure Jesus would have used it for good.

Since I missed that opportunity, I have prayed for the woman. And I’m asking God to change me…so that I’m less concerned about what other people think and more concerned about sharing the truth that hurting people need. No, I don’t want to offend people. I don’t want to alienate people. But I want to live my life believing that what matters most is letting people know that Jesus sees them and loves them – in actions and in words.

God doesn’t “need” me – in the sense that He can accomplish His purposes in many ways. But my heavenly Father is inviting me to be one of the ways He is working in this world. God is at work – always. And we can be part of that work!

I know God can send someone else to speak to the woman about His love. I pray He will. And as only God can, He used the woman in my life that day. Because of her, I pray that God will keep growing me, so that I will be available, ready, and bold to join with Him in the opportunities He gives me.