When God Was Most Evident

An altar call had just been made in an arena of eight thousand women. It wasn’t difficult to feel the emotions of those around me. To my left was brokenness and hearts grasping for hope. To my right was conviction and humility and hearts daring to believe they could be forgiven. 

“I need you to go up front. There’s someone I want you to pray over.” 

I felt the familiar heart tug at those words. My palms began to sweat and I began to tremble. Surely God wouldn’t use this pivotal moment in so many lives to send me on a task, would He?

“Do you know who I’m listening to? Beth Moore, that’s who. I’m pretty sure she could do a much better job of praying over someone than I can.” I whispered.

“I didn’t ask her to do what I’m asking you to do. Go.”

I wanted to vomit. It was so hot in there, and I was so high up. I began the descent, sure that the trip down would be expedited by my shaking legs causing me to tumble right down the stairs and onto the floor. Somehow I had made it without causing a scene.

When I got closer to the stage, the event team was lined up and said “she’s this way,” and pointed me to this woman who had her face buried in her hands. 

What was happening? Did they really say that, or did I imagine it?

I went to the woman and laid my hands on her and began to pray.

Then it was over. That was it. No powerful move of God, no prophetic words, no woman collapsing, nothing.

Did I miss it? 

“Hey you! Yeah, you! What’s your name?” a young woman was skipping down the stairs in my direction.

Making sure she was really talking to me, I gave her my name.

We exchanged some small talk before she said this,

“I saw you walking down to the front. Two big guys were with you. I didn’t know what was going on, but I knew I was supposed to pray for you. I just want you to know that He sees you.”

Before I got back to my seat, another woman approached me and asked for my name.

“I saw you going down to the front and I felt like God said to pray for you because you were obeying Him. I thought I’d lose you in the crowd, but the two big guys with you prevented that from happening.”

I don’t share this with you to make you think I’m some special person, or that I’m bragging because God used me. I share this with you because I feel like there’s something He’s asking YOU to do and you’re questioning your ability.

The key phrase in the story I shared above was “I didn’t ask her to do what I’m asking YOU to do.“

Sometimes I think we get so caught up in thinking there’s this standard that we have to follow in order to be used by God. We argue with God because there’s someone better who could do the job. Here’s the thing:

In order for God to use you, you just have to be willing and obedient…not famous. There is no formula you have to have to be used by God, you just have to have these two things: willingness and obedience. And there may be someone “better” for the job, but He’s not asking them… He is asking you.