Have you ever thought, “God probably only uses people with ______ gifts”? (fill in the blank with gifts you don’t seem to have)

My favorite verses in the Bible are found in Psalm 139. The entire chapter is inspiring, but I am going to focus on verses 13-15 in the NIV version. “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.”

There is a lot to say about this particular section of the Word. One thing to point out is that these verses are a wonderful reminder that God has a plan and a purpose for us. We really cannot be lacking when He was the One who formed us before we were even born. He has placed gifts and talents in us and we have been fearfully and wonderfully made, according to God’s Word.

Oftentimes in pregnancy center ministry, I have heard these types of statements, “Oh, that’s not something I could ever do.” Or, “I’m not outgoing enough to work with clients.” Or how about, “I could never be a center director – that type of job is for bold people.”  And the “I could never” list goes on.

Over the years, I have had the privilege to speak at banquets, in training, and in churches about pregnancy center ministry. I hear these types of statements all the time. What people don’t realize, is that I used to say, “I could never” as well. I was terrified of public speaking and would even suffer from panic attacks if I felt trapped in front of people. It took an act of God and a realization that God knew what He put on the inside of me better than I knew myself to get me to where I am today. Thank God for His Word that speaks LIFE to us!

 1 Corinthians 1:26-28a NIV says, “Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are…”

That’s me! I am not wise by human standards or influential or of noble birth. But God chose me, and He has chosen YOU to fulfill this most important call to pregnancy center ministry.

My encouragement to you today is to not limit the call that God has placed in your life. He will equip you with what you need because He was the one who formed you in your mother’s womb! Sometimes God opens a door of opportunity that doesn’t fit in our comfort zone. I believe He does this because He knows we need to step out into a new place we have never been. You see – we can’t get the glory when we know it is all because of God.

I have seen God do this with me and with others many times. God knows the thoughts and intentions of our hearts and He will prepare us for our next steps if we will truly put our trust in Him.

Let’s pray this prayer together: “Father, thank You for the call You have placed in my life. Please help me to not be limited by my comfort zone – but instead, be ready to be used for Your glory in whatever way You need me. May I never miss an opportunity to walk through a door You have opened for me as I give You all the glory, in Jesus’ name – Amen.”

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Toneia Mayes is Administrator of Care Net's Centers of Excellence University