For such a time as this...

[From December 7, 2015]

"Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, 'Do not think that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews.  For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father's family will perish.  Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.'"

(Esther 4:13-14)

I love the story of Esther.  It's got everything you'd want in a gripping tale: passion, debauchery, a beloved heroine, an evil villain, intrigue & drama, plus a surprising twist at the end!  It's also one of the only books in the Bible where God is never specifically mentioned or referenced.

In chapter 4, Esther has just been informed about the plot against her and her fellow Jews by the evil Haman.  Her cousin (but more like an uncle) Mordecai has sent word, but Ether has replied saying that her hands are, unfortunately, tied... and she can't do anything about it.  Then Mordecai sends one more response: "Help will come.  If not from you, from somewhere else.  But maybe you've been put in this position of influence for such a time as this!?!"

It's that last portion of Mordecai's speech that hit me (again! It always does when I read this!).  He impressed upon Ether that help will come... from somewhere (I see this as one of the testimonies to God's protection & provision, without specifically mentioning God)... but it could be that she came to her position of power & influence "for just such a time as this."

Not many of us can claim that we were a queen (or king) on our resume.  But ALL of us are in some kind of position of influence - if even just in our own families.  And there are moments in our lives - defining moments - where we have opportunities to make significant decisions.  it may feel overwhelming at the time, but it could be that God has put us in that position "for just such a time as this."

I don't know where my ministry at Palmdale UMC will go.  I just got here 5 months ago.  But I can't help but feel like I'm exactly where God needs me to be.  And who knows, maybe I'm called to lead the wonderful people of PUMC for just such a time as this?!?  A time when we've purchased land, but are in the in-between time of paying it off and building for our future.  A time when we average about 340 in worship, but have close to 700+ constituents.  A time when our Preschool is almost at capacity, and we've begun working with Christ Our Savior UMC in Quartz Hill for a new afterschool program!  I'm definitely excited to be here - for just such a time as this.

How has God brought you to a position of influence, for just such a time as this?!?