For a Time As This
“Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.” Esther 4:15
The book of Esther tells the story of those Jews who didn’t return to Israel when the Exile was over. Instead, they stayed behind and remained in Babylon, which was now under Persian control.
One key figure in the story is Esther (seems logical based on the title of this book!). She is Jewish but has married into royalty. That gave her motives and incentives to remain where she was. Her life was connected to the new land in which she lived.
But everything wasn’t easy and good for all the Jews. In fact, the king in Persia when Esther is alive has a big ego and some strict rules that he enforces to keep people in line. The bottom line is that Jews are at risk once again under this new leader.
But Esther is Jewish and has access to the seats of power. She is tempted to stay quiet and coast through under the radar. But Mordecai, another leader speaks the words in the quote above to her. She is in a position of access and power and God can use her there. In fact, Mordecai reminds Esther that God may be planning and hoping to use her.
We all have experienced this. Maybe not in the big and dramatic ways that Esther is being called. But each of us finds ourselves in situations where we have a choice. Something needs to be said or done. We have the capacity to say or do the thing we know God wants. But will we speak and act if it may be uncomfortable? Or is it easier to stay quiet and try to slip under the radar?
The God we meet in Jesus went to the cross and chose the hard big history-changing path. As he dwells in us, Christ gives us opportunities to make a difference too.
