February 16, 2004

FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS

“What’s more, who can say but that you have been elevated to the palace for just such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

February 16, 2004

You may not be living in a palace. Still, if you are finding complaint with the job, the family, the circumstances you have been given, stay your imagination on God and ask him to reveal to you just a glimpse of the answer to the question Mordecai asks Queen Esther in the passage quoted above.

Ask yourself: Why was I born in this century, in this age of technology, in this culture?  Why do I have this family, these friends, this occupation?  God has created each one of us for a special service, the right time and place for his purpose in this generation.  If we keep our minds focused on Him, our armor in place, and our eyes open for His supernatural timing, we will have the blessing of recognizing how He is at work in the very particulars of our lives.

He could use someone else (and he will) if we are not prepared to do what we were born to do in exactly this place and time.  I am the mother of two sons who are long-term prisoners (and unsaved), and Jesus has encouraged me continually that this is very much in his control.  It is part of his plan, and who can say but that I have been elevated to this (place) for a time such as this?

Turn your circumstances over to him in prayer, indeed, but also give thanks, for he is orchestrating the entire battle and training us for an eternal purpose.  He is accomplishing so much, both in the people he touches through us and in the character he shapes in us, bringing us closer to the finished product (his likeness) day by day.