It's Time

The story of Esther has always captivated me.  She was just an ordinary young woman who happened to be very pretty.  Because of her beauty, she wound up with the opportunity to save an entire nation.  But that opportunity came at a price--she could die.  Her uncle asked her, "How do you know but that you are who you are, when you are, where you are for such a time as this?*"  He explained that salvation for her people would come regardless of her choice, but that if she chose not to act, she may not be a part of it.  God had elevated her to a position of influence (through something as ordinary as good looks!) in anticipation of this very moment...to walk through the doors and save her people at the risk of her own life...or to turn back to her own room and hope to see another sunrise.  What would you do?


I'd like to think I'd walk through those doors.  I'd like to think I'd be as smart as Esther was.  She wined and dined her husband, the king, and got his spirits loose and happy enough to grant her any request she could ask.  She used her feminine wiles for God (what a novel idea!), and in doing so, saved the Jewish people in her kingdom. 


But in reality, would I?  Or would I find reason after reason to go back to my own room, to turn away from the danger, the risk, and hope to see another sunrise?


The reason the story of Esther resonates with me so fully isn't that I'm some beautiful young woman hand-picked to be the queen (ha!), but instead that I do believe I am who I am, when I am, where I am for such a time as this.  I believe all that makes me ME, all my quirks and idiosyncrasies, all my talents and challenges, all my experiences and hopes are on PURPOSE.  I believe God made me ME for a reason.


And the coolest part?  I believe that's true about you, too.


Each of us is called to change the world in some way, and there's undoubtably risk to ourselves.  Following Christ is dangerous.  Risky.  Even--gasp!--uncool.  Yep, it's not politically correct or gentle or safe.  Jesus said that if we want to follow him we must eat his flesh and drink his blood.  And after he said that, the Church numbered 200,000 and they got to build a new campus!  Uh, no.  The Church numbered more like 12, and they left their homes and families and followed Christ, even to the point of death.**You could walk through that door, risk your life, and change the world.  Or you could turn around, go back to your room, and hope to see another sunrise.  So, what will it be?


How do you know but that you are who you are, when you are, where you are for such a time as this?


It's time.




*The story if Esther is amazing and well worth the read.  It actually never mentions the name of God, which is unusual for a biblical book, and made it somewhat controversial when originally canonized into scripture.  I've taken liberties with the wording of the text, and any misinterpretation is fully mine.  You can read the full story here http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Esther+1&version=NIV.

**Read the full story here http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+6&version=NIV.  Please note, it's NOT a handbook on how to build a mega-church or to enhance your next altar-call.  Following Christ is costly and dangerous.  He never claimed otherwise.  That doesn't minimize the amazing blessings of being part of his kingdom...but you really should know what you're getting in to.