Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom
for such a time as this?
Esther 4:14 (NKJV)
I’m thinking about Esther’s life again this week — and those famous words listed above. Esther, whose Jewish heritage had been concealed, had randomly and unpredictably become the Queen of Persia. A short time later her entire race was slated for annihilation. It was actually Mordecai, her cousin, who posed the above question to her and we get the sense that both Mordecai and Esther simultaneously realized the truth of the rhetorical answer. Esther had indeed been placed within the palace at just the right time and God intended to use her presence there for His purposes — if she was willing to help others.
Have you ever experienced someone showing up in your life at just the right time to offer help? I remember Paul and I happening upon a terrible multi-car accident as we were returning from an event in Sun Valley years ago. It was not a heavily-trafficked road and we were only the fourth car on the scene, but as we stopped to see if we could help, wouldn’t you know cars number one and two both contained trained medical people. What were the chances of those with the resources to help traveling on that lonely road at just the right time?
On another trip through the Badlands of South Dakota, we became the source of help that God put into position at just the right time. A cute little couple ran into big trouble with their too-low-to-the-ground sports car meeting up with too-high-above-the-ground rocks on the roads. (Pro-tip: sports cars and National Parks don’t always play nicely together.)
Anyway, with a bounty of automotive fluids leaking, and a sliver of cell service, they were able to order a tow-truck from the nearest town — 90 miles away— that would arrive in about four hours. The remaining problem was waiting in 100+ degree temperatures, with no shelter or bathrooms, no food or water. But since we had seemingly been dispatched for such a time as this, we invited them into our trailer, started up the generator for some A/C, made a meal of pancakes and sausages, and the way I remember, the guy even took a shower in our trailer to wash off some of his ground-level auto diagnostics grime.
My Badlands story could hardly be compared to Esther’s dramatic experience — no one’s life was spared that hot day in South Dakota (that I know of). But I do wonder if all of us aren’t placed in random and seemingly ordinary positions way more often than we’re aware of to provide help and support — maybe simply comfort. Do we dare suggest that, like Esther, we’re often placed for such a time as this? I think we can. My simple encouragement to all of us is to be more aware of how God might use us each day.
Here is a great passage from Ephesians that says in New Testament language what the story of Esther describes:
Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. (Ephesians 5:15-17)
As a personal update, in early May, I had asked you to please pray with me that my summer of chemo would be effective against the aggressive cancer in my body. Well, you did pray with me and for me, and I want to report that the before and after imaging have proven that your prayers were heard. God has been gracious to cause enough shrinkage of the tumor that my surgery (happening TODAY) will be less invasive than originally projected.
I really want to thank so many of you who have joined me in prayer over the summer. You have been a huge blessing to me. When you need the support of someone to join you in prayer, I hope you will connect with me and allow me the privilege to join with YOU.
My Love & Blessings,
Sue