Last week I had the opportunity to sit with a group of co-workers and discuss a discipleship program that was presented to us. The four of us on staff work in spiritual development of different groups in the church. We are excited about this particular curriculum and this was a great opportunity for us to chat with one of the developers of this program.

It soon became clear to me that I really didn’t belong in the room. Oh, I believe I contributed to the conversation and added my thoughts, but honestly, I walked away feeling a little inadequate. Here’s why.

Two of the folks sitting around the table have master’s degrees. One has multiple master’s degrees (and maybe more….I don’t know). And the other person carried a doctorate. There I sat with no degree at all. I was surrounded by “thinkers” and “philosophers” and only a handful of years of college under my belt with nothing to show for it. I certainly didn’t belong in this room, at this table, in this conversation.

Yep, I was kinda down on myself.

But then it happened. As I was studying to lead a group of ladies through the Armor of God, Priscilla Shirer reminded me of the enemy’s tactics. The enemy doesn’t want me to believe I’m “good enough” to sit at the table with folks who have much more education than I. He wants me to sit in a corner, have a pity party for myself and become paralyzed when it comes to Kingdom work.

So I put on my armor and headed into battle with the enemy. I began to whittle out the lies Satan has pushed on me through the years. I battled against the proud spirit he wants me to take hold of. I fought. Fought for my identity in Christ to cover me and to remind me of who I am and to whom I belong.

I am tired of the lies Satan feeds me. I want to live in God’s truth and Jesus’ righteousness. That’s the table, that’s the conversation, that’s the room in which I belong.

Psalm 139 provides a beautiful reminder of how God created each one of us. Remember some of these phrases?

“You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13 – NIV)

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14a – NIV)

“When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.” (Psalm 139:15b-16a – NIV)

What a great reminder that God was involved in every detail of our creation. I need to remember this!

What’s more, God has placed me in this position for a specific reason. Psalm 139:16b (NIV) continues to say, “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” That meeting last week was set in place years ago. I was there for a purpose. And if God thinks I’m “good enough” to be sitting with that group of people, then I should as well.

And another “what’s more,” Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) reminds me that I am “God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Last week was already prepared in advance for me. But the real news here is that God prepared me for last week. He has worked on me and given me everything I need to face each situation, each day. I only need to recognize His preparation!

Perhaps you’ve been listening to and believing the lies of Satan for far too long. If so, I would encourage you to put on God’s armor and head into battle. Believe and be transformed by God’s truth. Know that God is going before you and will be with you as you go. You have God’s protection. Accept it and believe it.

I must admit, no one sitting around that table made me feel like I was inadequate or didn’t belong. I was accepted by my co-workers and the lovely gal we met with. Instead of dwelling on what I wasn’t, I should have embraced who and what I am in Christ.

This is exactly what I intend to do today! How about you?

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna