For Such a Time as This

What if the Creator God of the universe is so awesome; so creative; so powerful; so all knowing.... that He has made you exactly like you are... He has given you the experiences that you have had... He has put you in the place that you are in... and He has a plan for you that incorporates all of this into what He wants you to be & do. What if God has created you for such a time as this!

Mordecai's words from the book of Esther ring down to us through the ages "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

This past Sunday we had the privilege of enjoying fellowship with our partners at the Grace Bible Church in Colombia, Missouri. Pastor Michael Burt spoke from Esther and focused our thoughts on the reality that God has given us a clear plan and purpose as followers of Christ, and that purpose for all believers includes making disciples and teaching them in turn to be disciplers. As Christ's followers, we are in the world... in our own current reality... for this express purpose.

Esther understood the reality of her situation and the fact that she had to do what she could do - even if it meant that she put her life on the line. Rarely are we called to put our life on the line when we fulfill Christ's "great commission," but how often do we avoid being disciplers because of the perceived inconvenience that might be part of the process. Do we ever shirk our responsibilities with the idea that we can be more effective for the long haul if we don't too openly declare ourselves as disciplers for Christ? What if Esther had not agreed to approach the king with her request for her people? What if she had rather convinced herself that she could be more effective in the long run as a more silent supporter! Mordecai dealt with that possibility when he clarified that if she didn't do what she was supposed to, someone else would do it for her, but that she and her family would not benefit from that option.

What if our God is so loving that He doesn't want anyone to spend eternity separated from Him, so He made a way for us to live with Him forever? What if He loves the world so much that He left us here as His ambassadors to tell others the good news? What if our primary purpose is to make disciples right where we are at?

What if we accept the fact that we have come to our royal position for such a time as this?