Let Jesus be Lord at Planned Parenthood

     When we speak of the lordship of Christ, we are saying that we are submitting every area of our life over to Christ. This means that we are living a life of dependency upon Christ. In reality we may desire to be dependent on Christ, but we still want to maintain some control of our lives. In most situations we strive to make our environment comfortable and predictable. For those of you who are in the workplace, think about how you felt the first day at your job versus how you feel now. As we get familiar with the job, then we get more comfortable with the work and less dependent upon others. As an aside, this first day discomfiture seems to be very personal for me. I have been retired for a few years and I still have dreams about the first day on a new job and how disconcerting it is.

     When I am at Planned Parenthood (PP), praying and trying to engage with the people going in and out of the facility, I experience a total dependency upon God and a recognition that I am incapable of drawing these people into a conversation. Does this make me uncomfortable because I have no control over the situation? At the beginning of my time at PP, there were times that I experienced this discomfort. There were other times when I wondered if this was the best use of my time. Afterall, it did not seem like I was accomplishing much. But now I feel freedom in the situation because I know God is in complete control and it is He who will direct whom He wills to talk with me.

     I now have a lot of experience being at PP, but it doesn’t mean I have any more control over the environment. It is not because of my good looks, my eloquent speech, or my compassionate tone that draws individuals to talk with me. It is a loving God who is at work and I am simply His instrument.  Now we should be winsome with our speech and demeanor, but God is still the one who stirs their hearts to talk with us.

     I come to PP prepared to pray and speak with individuals, but I do not come with any expectations except to give the time over to God and be open to what He wants to accomplish. Sometimes, it seems overwhelming when you see the place so busy, but God always encourages me. Sometimes I am lifted up by my fellow prayer warriors, or people who stop and convey to us a kind word or talking with someone who has left PP. But I am always encouraged, knowing I am part of what God is doing and it is much bigger than all of us. The amazing thing is that God has placed me on His team through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Does He need me to accomplish His will? Not at all, but I count it a privilege to be a part of what He is doing and watch Him work through me and my fellow prayer warriors.

     Certainly, it is our desire to see Planned Parenthood shut down and see babies saved from the horror of abortion, but God has bigger plans in mind. Through our time at PP, we are a part of that bigger plan. Part of the plan God has for us is to grow in our dependence upon Him and become precious vessels fit for use by Him in every area of our life. Our time at PP is part of that refinement process to become more Christ-like. We serve Him, we save babies, and we grow in submitting ourselves to the Lordship of Christ.

-David Staggers                                                                              -December 13, 2023