For Such a Time As This

When Hathach told Mordecai what Ester had said, Mordecai sent her this message: “Don’t think that just because you live in the king’s house, you are the one Jew that will get out of this alive. If you persist in staying silent in such a time as this, help and deliverance will arrive for the Jews from somewhere else; but you and your family will be wiped out. Who knows? Maybe you were made queen for such a time as this.” Esther 4:14

During these past months, when someone asks, “How is your day going?”, I’ve begun to compare my day to the movie, Groundhog Day, in which Bill Murray was trapped reliving the same day over and over again. I decided to watch the movie again (since there is abundant time), and I realized something that had never occurred to me before! Instead of reliving each day the same way, Bill Murray’s character, Phil, began to make changes and include in each day a time for compassion, friendliness, learning, and respect. He began to listen to those around him, speak to those whom he really didn’t know, learn how to master a new skill, and offer help to those who were in need. It seems as though Phil decided that maybe he was there for such a time as this.

God has created each of us for a divine appointment – a unique role to fulfill in our lives just like Esther. He has placed us wherever we are right now, and there is something we were created to do for God that no one else can do the way He intends.

The circumstances are different for each of us, but no matter what, God has given us an assignment. Maybe we are in the midst of a family situation, maybe we are lonely, maybe we need help with finances, or maybe things are good, but we feel a need to do more for others. No matter what, we are all created for such a time as this.

As we contemplate our calling knowing that this world is in the midst of a fight between good and evil, consider these things. There are people around us that need rescuing, people who need to see compassion in action, people who need to feel respected, people who need to see a friendly nod or action, and people who need a hand learning new things. Nobody else has the specialties to reach out to these people except us as Christians. There lies before each of us both an opportunity and a challenge.

First, people need to see compassion in this world. They need us, as Christians, to respond to the need and get our hands dirty trying to help one person after another. No one person can do it all – it takes all of us for such a time as this.

People also need to see friendliness in each of us. Just as a good host would welcome guests, take their coat, and introduce them to others so that they feel included, people in this world need to feel that way. We can all step up and offer friendliness for such a time as this.

Respect is necessary for life. Every person that was created by God deserves respect, and what a perfect time for us to exemplify the qualities of respect to this world. God expects it of us for such a time as this.

Finally, we all have the ability to learn new ways to help others. I know many ladies who set out to learn how to make masks for those who need them, and they used that skill to help others. I know many others who take their talent with building materials and donate their time unselfishly to others who need it. These and so many others are working for such a time as this.

If we set our mind on for such a time as this, then we allow God to step in and mold us for His work. The words of a hymn come to mind: Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way; Thou art the potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after thy will; while I am waiting yielded and still. Adelaide Al Pollard

As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand…Jeremiah 18:6