For Such a Time as This

Have you ever wondered why you are born at this particular time in history, in a particular place, in a particular setting that is uniquely yours? Your unique placement in time, history, people and context is no accident. It is the providence of God because God has a purpose behind your placement. Perhaps we can understand something of this from the story of Esther.

Esther was a young Jewish girl living in exile. She won a beauty contest and won the favour of King Xerxes of Persia and was crowned his Queen. However, all the Jews in the land came under a death sentence and faced annihilation due to the scheming of wicked Hamaan. Mordecai, her uncle who raised Esther urged her to do something to save her people. Mordecai reminded Esther that there was was a greater purpose for being in the palace of the king and that it had nothing to do with self preservation or pursuing her indulgent comfortable lifestyle but everything to do with her purpose in delivering her people.
Esther 4:14
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?”

Esther thought through what Mordecai had told her and realised that she must not stay silent and be complicit. Esther decided to make her supplication to the king even though her life was at risk if she went in uninvited into the king’s presence and the king was unhappy with her. Esther decided to take a risk as she realised she had a pivotal role to play and she needed to act.
Esther 4:15-16
Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
Esther stepped out to meet the king and make a plea for her people despite not knowing what the outcome will be. Esther’s bravery and action at the right time helped save all the Jews and to this day, the festival of Purim is celebrated to mark this deliverance.

In the book of Esther, not once is God mentioned. The book is pivoted around the central character Esther and what she did. Like Esther, you are specially chosen for such a time as this, placed in a unique position to reach the people that only you can reach. You are placed in a unique position to influence a Kingdom outcome and make an eternal difference. It is a wonderful thought to know that there is no one else like you in history and never will be and this uniqueness empowers you to your purpose and impact. Like in the book of Esther, God is counting on you to do your part to bring hope and deliverance. Prayer alone is not sufficient to change a situation. Esther fasted and prayed along with the all the Jews but she also acted. There are times specifically when God expects us to act. God will never do something that we can do ourselves.

God trusts you with your purpose and is waiting for you to act. He has a unique purpose for you in the place you are planted. You are chosen for such a time as this. What are the areas in your circumstances that you are uniquely placed into where you can make a Kingdom impact by praying, speaking up and acting? The question is, will you understand your unique purpose and will you act?
Ephesians 5:15-17
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.