For such a time as this!

• The biblical book of Esther is interesting. There is no mention of God in the whole book. According to some scholars, it barely made it into the Bible. Yet, it is such an engaging story of courage, faith, and deliverance. The main character Esther is caught in a dilemma. Through God's providence, she ends up as the new queen of King Xerxes of Persia, a position most girls in the Persian Empire of Esther's day would die for. Yet, her head doesn't even get used to the crown when she gets word from her cousin, Mordecai (her legal guardian) that her whole race is going to be annihilated by an evil man named Haman. Mordecai asks Esther to speak to the king on behalf of her whole race, the Jews (God's Chosen People). Esther balks at the idea, reminding Mordecai that she could be put to death for having the audacity to appear before the king uninvited. Then Mordecai makes the following exclamation:

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

Mordecai tells Esther that she will not be safe just because she is in the king's palace.
In the mystery of God's providence, I believe we are all here for "such a time as this." Everyone has a purpose conceived in the mind and heart of God. Years ago, I went to the bedside of an elderly woman who could not speak, move, or eat food. She had a feeding tube. For some reason, I started singing Amazing Grace to her and she joined in. She could not really sing like you and I can, but she definitely was singing in her own way, with all her heart. Many would look at this woman as useless. They would even question why she was still here, but that day, in her room, many years ago, I was moved beyond words.
If this woman, bound to a bed, totally handicapped and incapable of "normal" speech had the purpose of showing me how to praise God no matter what happens, then certainly, you and I have a purpose from God today! Wondering what your purpose is? (So did Esther and she found out) Ask God! Pray! Read God's instructions for you, the Bible! Worship with God's people at church! Sooner or latter, God will show you a place of service for His Glory! You are made for "such a time as this."