For Such a Time As This

If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

What do you know about the story of Esther? If you know anything, you probably remember that Esther basically won a beauty contest, and the prize was to become the queen of the land. Maybe you even know that in the end, it was her position as queen that prevented the Israelites from being destroyed. And of course, the moral of the story is that God places people in positions so they can be used to carry out God’s will.

But, I encourage you to read the story again. Do some study, some research on the story. There’s so much more behind the scenes that maybe you don’t know.

This last week, we went to Branson, Missouri, for my daughter’s spring break. While we had an amazing time with family and friends, the reason we went was because we wanted to (once again) visit the Sight & Sound Theater to see the production of the story of Esther.

And it did not disappoint!

There’s so much that is not in the text, aspects of the story that you can only know from a deeper dive into the culture of the early Jews. As I mentioned before, we all know Esther won a beauty contest. But, it was not a voluntary entry. Esther was likely taken by force to be part of the contest. Mordecai warned her to hide her identity as a Jew knowing it would mark her unfavorably. And one thing I did not know is that the scribe Ezra was actually a contemporary and likely involved in the story!

As we watched the story unfold, so many aspects of the story suddenly became clear. I felt the fear and the anxiety of the biblical characters. I understood the frustrations as they cried out to God. The story came alive as it never had before!

While Esther being taken away to be part of the King’s harem was not a good thing, God used the circumstances to accomplish His will. God used Esther’s position as queen to save His people.

As the show ended, the audience was reminded that we all have a story, and those stories are meant to further the kingdom of God.

So what’s your story? What is it that God has allowed to happen to you that He wants to use for your good and His glory?

There are so many things in my life that God has used for His glory, things that were not good but that He has used for good. For example, my divorce is a story that has been used to help others walk through their own trials. God has given me the opportunity to reach people around the globe that I never would have touched without my story.

A dear sweet lady that has read my blog for years has been inspired to start her own group for ladies walking through divorce. She was recently given the opportunity to address the elders of her denomination, to help them gain a clearer understanding of how divorced women in the church are shunned and hurt even more deeply.

We have several men in our church who have walked through addictions. They now lead others to healing in Christ through Celebrate Recovery.

I know a man who spent several years in prison. Because of his background, he can reach people that are way outside my sphere of influence.

My own husband has a story different from mine. He experienced things in Afghanistan and Iraq that I could never comprehend. He has a passion to help other veterans, to use His story to help others. He also has other portions of his story, aspects that involve his own struggles with various addictions. Again, he is learning to use his past to help others find the healing and hope of Jesus Christ.

What’s your story? Do you have a vision for how God can use your story? Maybe you are still stuck in the mire of your story. Maybe you haven’t found the healing and hope of God. Can I just give you a bit of hope? It doesn’t matter what your story involves. God can–and will–use it if you will only surrender to Him. Trust Him with your present and your future. And know that your story is never lost with God.